noun
pantomime
PAN-tuh-muh-ihm
Pantomime (noun) means the act of telling a story or communicating through gesture and expression alone, without speaking. Example: “The mime performed an entire pantomime of getting stuck in an invisible box.”
noun
1
The act of telling a story or communicating through gesture and expression alone, without speaking.
"The mime performed an entire pantomime of getting stuck in an invisible box."
2
A British Christmas theatrical show for families, featuring comedy, music, and audience participation.
"Every December, the local theatre puts on a pantomime for the whole family."
verb
1
To act something out using only gestures, without speaking.
"She pantomimed drinking a cup of tea to explain what she wanted."
How to use pantomime
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSilent storytelling through gesture, or (in the UK) a festive family stage show.
UK vs US
The "Christmas show" sense is a distinctly British tradition, often shortened to "panto."
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Word forms
- Plural
- pantomimes
- Third person singular
- pantomimes
- Past tense
- pantomimed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The mime performed an entire _____ of getting stuck in an invisible box.
Etymology
From Latin pantomimus, from Greek pantómimos ("imitator of all"), from pas ("all") + mimeomai ("to mimic").
Synonyms
View more →
mime
dumb show
Related words
Rhymes for pantomime
See all rhymes for pantomime →Frequently asked questions
What does “pantomime” mean?
The word “pantomime” means the act of telling a story or communicating through gesture and expression alone, without speaking. In plain terms, silent storytelling through gesture, or (in the UK) a festive family stage show.
How do you pronounce “pantomime”?
“Pantomime” is pronounced PAN-tuh-muh-ihm (/ˈpæn.təˌmaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “pantomime” in a sentence?
Here is “pantomime” used in a sentence: “The mime performed an entire pantomime of getting stuck in an invisible box.”
What part of speech is “pantomime”?
Depending on how it is used, “pantomime” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pantomime” come from?
The word “pantomime” comes from Latin. From Latin pantomimus, from Greek pantómimos ("imitator of all"), from pas ("all") + mimeomai ("to mimic").
How many meanings does “pantomime” have?
“Pantomime” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of telling a story or communicating through gesture and expression alone, without speaking.
