noun

sketch comedy

SKECH KOM-uh-dee

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Sketch comedy (noun) means a form of comedy made up of a series of short self-contained scenes, each with its own characters and single comic premise, performed by a troupe rather than built into one continuous story. Example: “She trained in improv before moving into sketch comedy.”

noun

A form of comedy made up of a series of short self-contained scenes, each with its own characters and single comic premise, performed by a troupe rather than built into one continuous story.

"She trained in improv before moving into sketch comedy."

"Monty Python's Flying Circus is the template most sketch comedy still works from."

How to use sketch comedy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishComedy made of lots of short separate funny scenes.

When to use it

Neutral. The individual scenes are sketches; the show is a sketch show; the performers are a sketch group or troupe.

Memory tip

Sketch comedy is scripted and rehearsed. If it is being made up on the spot, that is improv, not sketch.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

stand-up improv → sitcom →

Common pairings

sketch comedy show sketch comedy troupe write sketch comedy a sketch comedy series

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “sketch comedy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She trained in improv before moving into _____.

Etymology

A compound of sketch, in the sense of a brief and lightly drawn piece, and comedy.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

sketch show revue variety comedy

Antonyms

sitcom stand-up

Related words

review comedy sitcom revue burlesque

Rhymes for sketch comedy

seedy needy greedy comedy remedy speedy tragedy Kennedy raggedy indeedy scaredy

See all rhymes for sketch comedy →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between sketch comedy and stand-up?

Stand-up is one performer talking directly to an audience as themselves, telling jokes and stories. Sketch comedy has performers playing characters in short scenes with dialogue, costumes and a fourth wall, usually in a group.

What is the difference between sketch comedy and improv?

Sketch is written in advance, edited and rehearsed until the timing is exact. Improv is invented live from an audience suggestion and is never performed the same way twice, though many sketch writers use improv to generate material.

What is the difference between sketch comedy and a sitcom?

A sitcom follows the same characters in the same setting across a whole series, so jokes build on things the audience already knows. Sketch comedy resets completely between scenes, so every sketch has to establish its own world in seconds.

What is the meaning of sketch comedy?

"sketch comedy" (noun) means a form of comedy made up of a series of short self-contained scenes, each with its own characters and single comic premise, performed by a troupe rather than built into one continuous story.

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