comedy
noun
com·e·dy ˈkä-mə-dē 
plural comedies
1
a
: a medieval narrative that ends happily
Dante's Divine Comedy
b
: a literary work written in a comic style or treating a comic theme
the ancient Roman comedies of Plautus
2
a
: a drama of light and amusing character and typically with a happy ending
a comedy about parenthood
b
: the genre of dramatic literature dealing with the comic or with the serious in a light or satirical manner compare tragedy
3
: a ludicrous or farcical event or series of events
a comedy of errors
4
a
: the comic element
the comedy of many life situations
b
: humorous entertainment
nightclub comedy
Synonyms
- farce
- humor
- slapstick
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The new comedy is the network's most popular television show. The movie includes a lot of physical comedy. We couldn't help laughing out loud at the comedy of the situation.
Recent Examples on the Web Borrowing much from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dark Star still holds up relatively well as a sci-fi comedy, even if some of the effects — like, say, the beach-ball alien — are definitely borne out of cost-saving measures. 
Will Harris, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2022 This arts and entertainment calendar updates weekly and lists events taking place in and around Louisville, from concerts to comedy shows, theater productions, musicals, and more. The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2022 His third feature is a significant tonal departure from its predecessor, The World is Yours, in which the director’s visual flair was channeled into a zippy gangster comedy. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Sep. 2022 Sharon Horgan serves as both creator and star of Bad Sisters, a dark comedy set in Ireland. Amy Mackelden, ELLE, 1 Sep. 2022 That’s where Karen comes in, making steady progress in her task of opening the gate to the Kingdom, while everybody else behaves like characters in a deranged workplace comedy. Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2022 Some buses offer Nashville hot chicken while others dish out mobile comedy shows. Fox News, 31 Aug. 2022 Post-workout drinks and food naturally followed, and from there all kinds of outings, like concerts, comedy shows and basketball games. Bruce Horowitz, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 Bananas also supports emerging talent by hosting film festivals, experimental comedy shows and the popular Funniest Person in Cincinnati Contest. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
Will Harris, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2022 This arts and entertainment calendar updates weekly and lists events taking place in and around Louisville, from concerts to comedy shows, theater productions, musicals, and more. The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2022 His third feature is a significant tonal departure from its predecessor, The World is Yours, in which the director’s visual flair was channeled into a zippy gangster comedy. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Sep. 2022 Sharon Horgan serves as both creator and star of Bad Sisters, a dark comedy set in Ireland. Amy Mackelden, ELLE, 1 Sep. 2022 That’s where Karen comes in, making steady progress in her task of opening the gate to the Kingdom, while everybody else behaves like characters in a deranged workplace comedy. Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2022 Some buses offer Nashville hot chicken while others dish out mobile comedy shows. Fox News, 31 Aug. 2022 Post-workout drinks and food naturally followed, and from there all kinds of outings, like concerts, comedy shows and basketball games. Bruce Horowitz, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 Bananas also supports emerging talent by hosting film festivals, experimental comedy shows and the popular Funniest Person in Cincinnati Contest. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Medieval Latin comoedia, from Latin, drama with a happy ending, from Greek kōmōidia, from kōmos revel + aeidein to sing — more at ode
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing comedy
Kids Definition
comedy
noun
com·e·dy ˈkä-mə-dē
plural comedies
1
: an amusing play that has a happy ending
2
: an amusing and often ridiculous event
comedies
noun
as in satires
humorous entertainment presented a night of comedy as part of the weeklong celebrations Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- satires
- humors
- farces
- slapsticks
- parodies
- burlesques
- fun
- high comedies
- low comedies
- improvs
- wits
- banters
- fooleries
- stand-ups
- drolleries
- shenanigans
- knockabouts
- persiflages
- monkeyshines
- horseplays