A burlesque is a performance or a piece of writing that makes fun of something by copying it in an exaggerated way. You can also use burlesque to refer to a situation in real life that is like this.
The book read like a black comic burlesque.
...a trio of burlesque Moscow stereotypes.
Synonyms: parody, mockery, satire, caricature More Synonyms of burlesque
More Synonyms of burlesque
burlesque in British English
(bɜːˈlɛsk)
noun
1.
an artistic work, esp literary or dramatic, satirizing a subject by caricaturing it
2.
a ludicrous imitation or caricature
3.
a play of the 17th–19th centuries that parodied some contemporary dramatic fashion or event
4. Also: burlesk US and Canadian theatre
a bawdy comedy show of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: the striptease eventually became one of its chief elements
Slang name: burleycue
adjective
5.
of, relating to, or characteristic of a burlesque
verbWord forms: -lesques, -lesquing or -lesqued
6.
to represent or imitate (a person or thing) in a ludicrous way; caricature
Derived forms
burlesquely (burˈlesquely)
adverb
burlesquer (burˈlesquer)
noun
Word origin
C17: from French, from Italian burlesco, from burla a jest, piece of nonsense
burlesque in American English
(bərˈlɛsk)
noun
1.
any broadly comic or satirical imitation, as of a writing, play, etc.; derisive caricature; parody
2. US
a sort of vaudeville characterized by low comedy, striptease acts, etc.
adjective
3.
derisively or comically imitating
4. US
of or connected with burlesque (vaudeville)
verb transitive, verb intransitiveWord forms: burˈlesqued or burˈlesquing
5.
to imitate derisively or comically; parody
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈcaricature
Word origin
Fr < It burlesco < burla, a jest, mockery
Examples of 'burlesque' in a sentence
burlesque
THERE is no slowing down for the glam American burlesque dancer as she heads through her fifth decade.
The Sun (2016)
She's gone to a few burlesque clubs and had a tattoo done.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He's a former burlesque dancer and teacher of wilderness survival.
The Sun (2012)
Did you know the burlesque dancer 's also a designer these days?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Being a burlesque dancer wasn't as glamorous as folk singing suddenly is.
The Sun (2012)
The 34-year-old designs her own swimwear and last year made her debut in a cheeky burlesque show.
The Sun (2014)
Here we go, another burlesque show.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She claims now to work as a choreographer for a burlesque dance troupe, having left stripping behind.
The Sun (2013)
I did a burlesque show back home.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Being a great burlesque performer is about showing your body in the most beautiful way - and ballet teaches you that.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The church is not grand opera; it's often burlesque theatre.
Christianity Today (2000)
It isn't as if any of the younger royals haven't been to a burlesque show before.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The interior of her home is exactly what you'd expect from the world's most famous burlesque star.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
More tease than strip, the film showcases fantastic costumes and the warmth and fun of real-life burlesque artists.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They draw back their bows once more and hope to find love - and a dream holiday - for a personal trainer and a burlesque dancer.
The Sun (2013)
There are currently more than 50 burlesque shows a week across the country, but an increasing number of burlesque classes have also sprung up in recent years.
The Sun (2012)
(noun)
Definition
an artistic work, esp. literary or dramatic, satirizing a subject by caricaturing it
The book read like a black comic burlesque.
Synonyms
parody
a parody of a well-known soap opera
mockery
satire
a sharp satire on the American political process
caricature
a chalk-drawn caricature of a pop-eyed judge brandishing a gavel
send-up (British, informal)
a classic send-up of sixties rock
spoof (informal)
a spoof on Hollywood life
travesty
If he couldn't prepare his case properly the trial would be a travesty.
takeoff (informal)
an inspired takeoff of the two sisters
(adjective)
Definition
of or characteristic of a burlesque
a trio of burlesque stereotypes
Synonyms
satirical
a satirical novel about London life
comic
mocking
She gave a mocking smile.
mock
farcical
travestying
ironical
parodic
mock-heroic
caricatural
hudibrastic
(verb)
Synonyms
satirize
The newspaper satirized our political leaders.
take off (informal)
mock
exaggerate
ridicule
I admire her for allowing them to ridicule her.
imitate
He screwed up his face and imitated the Colonel.
ape
These films merely ape Hollywood.
parody
It was easy to parody his rather pompous manner of speaking.
caricature
Her political career has been caricatured in the newspapers.
send up (British, informal)
spoof (informal)
make fun of
travesty
lampoon
He was lampooned for his short stature and political views.
take the piss out of (taboo, slang)
make a monkey out of
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ape
Definition
to imitate
These films merely ape Hollywood.
Synonyms
imitate,
copy,
mirror,
echo,
mock,
parrot,
mimic,
parody,
caricature,
affect,
counterfeit
in the sense of caricature
Definition
a description or explanation of something that is so exaggerated or over-simplified that it is difficult to take seriously
a chalk-drawn caricature of a pop-eyed judge brandishing a gavel
Synonyms
parody,
cartoon,
distortion,
satire,
send-up (British, informal),
travesty,
takeoff (informal),
lampoon,
burlesque,
mimicry,
farce,
pasquinade
in the sense of caricature
Definition
to make a caricature of
Her political career has been caricatured in the newspapers.