comic
KO-mihk
Comic (adj) means Funny or intended to amuse; relating to comedy. Example: “The film has a comic subplot involving the neighbor's dog.”
adj
1
Funny or intended to amuse; relating to comedy.
"The film has a comic subplot involving the neighbor's dog."
"His comic timing made even the weakest jokes land."
"The play's comic scenes had the whole audience laughing out loud."
noun
1
A comedian, or a magazine or booklet telling a story through drawn panels.
"She has collected comics since she was ten years old."
"He worked as a stand-up comic for years before landing a sitcom role."
"The comic had the crowd laughing within minutes of walking on stage."
How to use comic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFunny, or relating to comedy — as a noun, either a comedian or a picture-story magazine.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "comic" (relating to comedy in general, or a person/publication) with "comical" (which specifically means funny or ridiculous in effect).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
comic relief
comic book
comic timing
stand-up comic
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Word forms
- Plural
- comics
- Comparative
- more comic
- Superlative
- most comic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film has a _____ subplot involving the neighbor's dog.
Etymology
From Latin comicus, from Greek kōmikós ("relating to comedy"), ultimately from kômos ("revelry, festivity").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for comic
See all rhymes for comic →Frequently asked questions
What does “comic” mean?
The word “comic” means funny or intended to amuse; relating to comedy. In plain terms, funny, or relating to comedy — as a noun, either a comedian or a picture-story magazine.
How do you pronounce “comic”?
“Comic” is pronounced KO-mihk (/ˈkɑmɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “comic” in a sentence?
Here is “comic” used in a sentence: “The film has a comic subplot involving the neighbor's dog.”
What is another word for “comic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “comic” include comedic and comical.
What part of speech is “comic”?
Depending on how it is used, “comic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “comic” come from?
The word “comic” comes from Latin. From Latin comicus, from Greek kōmikós ("relating to comedy"), ultimately from kômos ("revelry, festivity").
Is “comic” a common word?
“Comic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “comic” have?
“Comic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: funny or intended to amuse; relating to comedy.
What is the difference between comic and comical?
"Comic" means relating to comedy or deliberately funny, as in comic timing or a comic actor. "Comical" usually means amusing in an odd, unintended, or absurd way. A comic play is written to make you laugh, while a comical hat is funny simply because it looks ridiculous.
Is comic an adjective or a noun?
It works as both. As an adjective it means funny or relating to comedy, as in comic relief. As a noun it means a comic book, a comic strip, or a comedian who performs for laughs. The surrounding words make clear which sense is meant.
What is an example of comic used as an adjective?
Common examples include comic timing, comic relief, a comic novel, and comic opera. In each case the word signals humor or a link to comedy. It describes something meant to amuse the audience, whether a performance, a piece of writing, or a moment within a serious story.
What is the opposite of comic?
In drama the natural opposite is tragic, since comedy and tragedy are the two classic modes. More generally, opposites include serious, solemn, and grave. A comic scene aims to lighten the mood, while a tragic or solemn one aims to move or sadden the audience.
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