comic1 adjectivecomic2 noun
comiccom‧ic1 /ˈkɒmɪk $ ˈkɑː-/ ●●○ adjective 
WORD ORIGINcomic1
Origin:
1500-1600 Latin comicus, from Greek, from komos; ➔ COMEDYEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- In Shakespeare's Henry 1V, the character of Falstaff provides us with a little comic relief.
- Like all comic writers, Shaw was fascinated by the gap between appearance and reality.
- She is one of the most gifted comic actresses on television.
- Streep provided one of the best comic performances of her career.
- Then Gertie got up on the stage and delighted us all by singing a comic song.
- A big woman, Wilkens uses her bulk to exquisite comic advantage.
- He went to Eastbourne secondary school before carving out a comic career in London.
- I mean, he was a comic genius, yet he still wanted to be something he wasn't.
- Many medieval manuscripts have decorated borders filled with comic animals and birds and people.
- No comic actress working today is funnier or more versatile.
- The comic euro is low because it can not, and will not be taken seriously by the world nations.
- Thomas Pynchon has also shown a consistent fondness for slapstick effects in his novels, drawn partly from comic cinema.
- Tyrone Guthrie was a great one for comic business, and it was amazing to see how Michael picked it all up.
THESAURUS
making you laugh: · John told me a really funny joke.· She’s very talented and funny.
especially written funny and enjoyable. Amusing is more formal than funny. It is often used when something is a little funny and makes you smile, rather than laugh: · an amusing anecdote· He found the whole incident rather amusing.
intended to be funny – used about stories, films, articles etc that have situations that are a little funny: · humorous stories· The movie is meant to be humorous.
using words in a funny and clever way: · witty remarks· How witty!
(also hysterical informal) extremely funny: · The children thought it was hilarious.· The movie has some hilarious scenes.· It was hysterical! You should have seen his face!
funny in a strange or silly way – often used when something is not intended to be funny: · It was quite comical watching him trying to dance.· her own comical attempts at painting
[only before noun] a comic film, play, novel etc is intended to be funny: · a comic drama
done for amusement or enjoyment, and not intended to be serious: · The programme is a light-hearted look at recent political events.
noun [countable] a film, play, or television programme that is intended to be funny: · a comedy by Shakespeare· She has appeared in several television comedies.· a new comedy series on Channel 4
Longman Language Activatora funny film, play etc a film, play, TV programme etc that is intended to entertain people and make them laugh: · 'One Fine Day' was a romantic comedy with George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer.comedy programme/series/show: · a comedy show on Channel 4black comedy (=one that is funny about things such as death): · The movie's a black comedy about a pair of junkie musicians who are trying to kick the drug habit.
intended to entertain people and make them laugh: · Streep provided one of the best comic performances of her career.comic writer/actor/performer etc (=one who writes or performs things that make you laugh): · Like all comic writers, Shaw was fascinated by the gap between appearance and reality.comic verse/song (=that entertains you and makes you laugh): · Then Gertie got up on the stage and delighted us all by singing a comic song.comic relief (=something funny in a serious story): · In Shakespeare's Henry IV, the character of Falstaff provides us with a little comic relief.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
(=someone who writes or performs things that make you laugh)
(=a situation in a serious story that makes you relax a little because it is funny)
The song provides some comic relief from the intensity of the scene.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The song provides some comic relief from the intensity of the scene.· He was a comic actor and he always got a laugh.
(=a funny or sad one)· Homer Simpson is a great comic character.
· She admits she is attracted to comic roles.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Both are larger-than-life comic actors.· Now though, in the great tradition of comic actors, he wants to be taken seriously.
· No comic actress working today is funnier or more versatile.· Bonita Friedericy, Natalie Schafer Award for an up-and-coming comic actress.
· You can use the programs to edit photos and create greeting cards, certificates, comic books, labels and other goodies.· The evolution of the comic book continued on its varied path, developing new ideas and throwing up new characters.· The personal appearance of Stan Lee, the creator of Spider-man, the X-Men and other comic book heroes.· It's a comic book sort of thing, doing everything in your power to present yourselves as greater than your audience.· I had a ton of comic books, too.· UnbreakabLe is a movie partly about comic books.· The game had colorful pictures, the covers of comic books, it even had a picture of Earth!
· UnbreakabLe is a movie partly about comic books.· Word spread widely and quickly, through the networks, even through underground comic books where the illiterate could read them.· There's a certain type of movie about comic books that's been made over and over.· You can use the programs to edit photos and create greeting cards, certificates, comic books, labels and other goodies.· Alcohol, comic books and mouthwash all bask under the superior reputation of the market.· I had a ton of comic books, too.· The game had colorful pictures, the covers of comic books, it even had a picture of Earth!· She threw out my comic books, too.
· A sense of comic character and timing are the main requirements, and John carried it off successfully.· Here are some Marvel comic characters.· Joe Shuster, cartoonist who developed the original Superman comic character, died Los Angeles, aged seventy-eight.· Sally Jo Bannow makes even Edith the housemaid into a major comic character.· For many years Jack Benny had a comic character on his programs named Mr Shlepperman-a timid, weak-kneed character.
· It's one of those rare books of comic genius that imprints itself on the brain and can never afterwards be eradicated.· I mean, he was a comic genius, yet he still wanted to be something he wasn't.· The only saving grace was Robert Downey Junior's performance as the comic genius they said.· It isn't every comic genius who would undertake to send his talent into such painful places.
· This is more of the same, a comic novel about the difficulties of being different.
· I doubt it too; it is simply too good comic opera to be true.· The comic opera of Gilbert and Sullivan is a regular feature on the Alexandra's varied programme.
· Interspersed between tragic stories are a few songs supplying pointed but comic relief.· What I did was to provide him with some comic relief.· He was, and he remained for the time being, a figure of comic relief.· I raised £7.41 for comic relief by eating jelly with chopsticks.· For comic relief, obviously; but we also suspect a topical reference worth considering as evidence in the dating game.· Telephoning Jonathan to break off the engagement had almost been a high point of comic relief.· She was able to take centre stage, providing comic relief while Zephyr shared intimate moments with her special friends.
· But no artist seems to have taken over the comic strip format whole until Art Spiegelman came along.· The only thing was that now, it was more like a comic strip.· Unfortunately, I am no longer able to maintain the schedule demanded by a daily comic strip.· You may know him as the talented creator of that incisive Tucson Weekly comic strip, Staggering Heights.· It's known as Fat Albert after a comic strip character.· They starred in comic strips and branched out into radio.· A leaning toward chemistry and chemical engineering was no doubt kindled in some way by a Mickey Mouse comic strip.
· Like all first-rate comic writers, Shaw was fascinated by the gulf between appearance and reality.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
amusing you and making you want to laugh OPP tragic: - The show is a darkly comic look at medicine, money and morality.
- Social Blunders, which follows the romantic misadventures of 33-year-old Sam Callahan, is a darkly comic romp through heartache.
- After a day's work, it was a bit of light relief to use it.
- After this beginning some light relief must have been welcome.
- All we can say is that, between them, the team eventually raises £3,450 for Comic Relief charities.
- Cold people shake Comic Relief canisters.
- For comic relief, obviously; but we also suspect a topical reference worth considering as evidence in the dating game.
- Her only light relief was Tony, who took her out every night.
- If it afforded the guardians a little light relief, the minutes do not suggest that the complaint was taken anything but seriously.
- Then, for light relief, this page: murder and murder trials.
a comic novelcomic writer/actress/performer etc (=someone who writes or performs things that make you laugh)comic relief (=a situation in a serious story that makes you relax a little because it is funny) The song provides some comic relief from the intensity of the scene.► see thesaurus at funnycomic1 adjectivecomic2 noun
comiccomic2 ●○○ noun [countable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a stand-up comic
- A comic gives children the opportunity to retreat into their own world; it is a very private thing.
- Gazzer could see Tony going into the lighted ticket-booth to read his comic.
- It would be rather more welcome if comics could still be comics.
- So we set some of our comics the toughest challenge of all make us laugh about Maastricht.
- Stand-up comics, actors and writers do not retire, Mr. Howerd pointed out.
- The language, not just the art work of comics changed then too.
- There is no text that can be read, such as there is even in a children's comic.
Longman Language Activatorsomeone who tells jokes or does things to make people laugh
a professional entertainer who makes people laugh: · Lenny Henry, the famous British comedian, will appear in a show in London next week.· Before becoming a film actor, he'd been a comic appearing regularly in cabaret.stand-up comedian/comic (=one who stands alone in front of the public and tells jokes): · Robin Williams first made his name as a stand-up comedian.
an intelligent person who is good at being funny in clever or original ways: · Rochester was well known as a wit in society circles.· A dozen writers and wits used to gather at the Algonquin Hotel for lunch.
someone who does something in order to confuse or trick someone else, to make other people laugh: · The shop sold toys and gadgets for practical jokers.
WORD SETSabstract, nounagony aunt, nounagony column, nounannual, nounanthology, nounantiquarian, adjectiveappendix, nounarticle, nounauthor, nounautobiography, nounback, nounbackslash, nounbackspace, nounballoon, nounbanner headline, nounbestiary, nounbest-seller, nounbibliography, nounbibliophile, nounbind, verbbinder, nounbinding, nounbiographer, nounbiography, nounblackout, nounbold, adjectiveboldface, nounbook, nounbookbinding, nounbooklet, nounbookmark, nounbookmobile, nounbookplate, nounbookseller, nounbookshop, nounbookstall, nounbookstore, nounbound, adjectivebox, nounbraille, nounbroadsheet, nounbrochure, nounbubble, nounbulletin, nounby-line, nouncalendar, nouncaption, nouncarry, verbcatalogue, nouncentrefold, nounchain letter, nounchapbook, nounchapter, nounchequebook journalism, nouncircular, nouncirculation, nouncity desk, nouncity editor, nounclassified ad, nounclip, nounclipping, nouncodex, nouncol, collection, nouncolour supplement, nouncolumn, nouncolumnist, nouncomic, nouncomic strip, nouncommentary, nouncommentator, nouncompanion, nouncompendium, nouncomposition, nouncompositor, nouncontribute, verbcontributor, nouncopy, nouncopy editor, nouncopyist, nouncorrespondent, nouncoursebook, nouncover girl, nouncover story, nouncross-refer, verbcross-reference, nouncutting, noundaily, noundesk, noundiarist, noundiary, noundictionary, noundime novel, noundirectory, noundog-eared, adjectivedoorstep, verbdotted line, noundraft, noundraft, verbDTP, noundust jacket, nouned., edit, verbedition, nouneditor, nouneditorial, nouneditorship, nounemend, verbencyclopedia, nounentry, nounerratum, nounet al, adverbet cetera, adverbexclusive, nounexposure, nounexpurgated, adjectivefeature, nounff, figure, nounfiller, nounfinancial supermarket, Fleet Street, fly leaf, nounfolio, nounfollow-up, nounfont, nounfootnote, nounforeword, nounformat, nounformat, verbfrontispiece, nounfull-page, adjectivefull stop, nounfunny papers, noungagging order, galley, noungazette, noungazetteer, nounghost, verbghost writer, noungloss, noungloss, verbglossary, nounglossy, noungonzo journalism, noungossip column, noungraphic design, nounguide, nounguillotine, nounhack, nounhagiography, nounhalftone, nounhandbill, nounhandbook, nounhardback, nounhardcover, nounheading, nounheadline, nounheadline, verbheadword, nounhistory, nounhumorist, nounillustrate, verbillustration, nounimpression, nounimprimatur, nounimprint, nounindent, verbindentation, nounindex, nounindex, verbinsert, nouninset, nouninset, verbinstalment, nouninterpolate, verbISBN, nounissue, nounitalicize, verbitalics, nounjacket, nounjournal, nounjournalese, nounjournalism, nounjournalist, nounjourno, nounl, landscape, nounlayout, nounleader, nounleading article, nounleaf, nounletter-size, adjectivelibrary, nounlimited edition, nounlined, adjectiveLinotype, nounliterature, nounlocal paper, nounlocal rag, nounloose-leaf, adjectivelower case, nounmag, nounmagazine, nounmanuscript, nounmargin, nounmasthead, nounmezzotint, nounmicrofiche, nounmisprint, nounmonograph, nounmonthly, nounmorocco, nounmuckraking, nounN/A, N.B., news, nounnews agency, nounnewshound, nounnewsletter, nounnewspaper, nounnewsprint, nounnews release, nounnon-fiction, nounnote, nounnotebook, nounnotice, nounnumber, nounobituary, nounoffprint, nounoffset, adjectiveomnibus, nounop. cit., open letter, nounorgan, nounoverleaf, adverboverprint, verbp., pagination, nounpamphlet, nounpamphleteer, nounpap, nounpaparazzi, nounpaper, nounpaperback, nounpaperboy, nounpaper girl, nounpaper round, nounpaper shop, nounpara, passage, nounpaste-up, nounperiodical, nounpersonal ad, nounpersonal column, nounphrasebook, nounpicture book, nounpiece, nounplate, nounpocketbook, nounpp., prequel, nounpress, nounpress baron, nounpress box, nounpress conference, nounpress corps, nounpress cutting, nounpress gallery, nounpressman, nounpress office, nounpress release, nounprint, verbprint, nounprinted matter, nounprinter, nounprinting, nounprinting ink, nounprinting press, nounproblem page, nounproof, nounproofread, verbpublication, nounpublish, verbpublisher, nounpublishing, nounpull-out, nounquarterly, adjectivequarterly, nounquarto, nounquire, nounquotation, nounquote, verbrag, nounreader, nounreadership, nounreading, nounream, nounred ink, nounreference, nounreference book, nounreference library, nounrelease, verbreprint, verbreproduce, verbreproduction, nounreproductive, adjectivereview, nounreview, verbreviewer, nounrevise, verbrevision, nounrider, nounroman, nounsans serif, nounsaturation, nounscare story, nounscoop, nounscoop, verbsection, nounserif, nounset, verbsilk screen, adjectivesketch, nounslipcase, nounsmall ad, nounsoft porn, nounsource, nounspace, nounspine, nounsplash, verbspoiler, nounstay of execution, nounstop press, nounstory, nounstorybook, nounstringer, nounstrip, nounstrip cartoon, nounsub, nounsub, verbsubedit, verbsub-editor, nounsubheading, nounsubscribe, verbsubscriber, nounsubscription, nounsuperscript, adjectivesupplement, nounsymposium, nounsyndicate, verbtable, nountabloid, nountext, nounthumb index, nountitle page, nountome, nountract, nountreatise, nountrot, nountype, nountypeface, nountypescript, nountypesetting, nountypographer, nountypography, nounvanity press, nounvellum, nounvignette, nounvol., volume, nounweekly, nounwell-thumbed, adjectivewoodblock, nounwrite-up, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a stand-up comicCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
a stand-up comic· He was a comic actor and he always got a laugh.
(=a funny or sad one)· Homer Simpson is a great comic character.
· She admits she is attracted to comic roles.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB· Gazzer could see Tony going into the lighted ticket-booth to read his comic.· So I didn't even read comics.· I read comics, like Victor and Dandy.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1 (also ˈcomic book) a magazine for children that tells a story using comic strips2someone whose job is to tell jokes and make people laugh SYN comedian: - The show is a darkly comic look at medicine, money and morality.
- Social Blunders, which follows the romantic misadventures of 33-year-old Sam Callahan, is a darkly comic romp through heartache.
- After a day's work, it was a bit of light relief to use it.
- After this beginning some light relief must have been welcome.
- All we can say is that, between them, the team eventually raises £3,450 for Comic Relief charities.
- Cold people shake Comic Relief canisters.
- For comic relief, obviously; but we also suspect a topical reference worth considering as evidence in the dating game.
- Her only light relief was Tony, who took her out every night.
- If it afforded the guardians a little light relief, the minutes do not suggest that the complaint was taken anything but seriously.
- Then, for light relief, this page: murder and murder trials.
a stand-up comic