1
: of, relating to, or marked by comedy
a comic actor
2
: causing laughter or amusement : funny
a comic monologue
3
: of or relating to comic strips
the newspaper's comic section

comic

2 of 2

noun

1
: comedian
a stand-up comic
2
: the comic element
3
c
comics plural : the part of a newspaper devoted to comic strips
Choose the Right Synonym for comic

laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous, comic, comical mean provoking laughter or mirth.

laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Examples of comic in a Sentence

Adjective The drama has some comic moments. His comic timing is impeccable. The scene was included for comic effect. Noun posted an especially funny comic by the watercooler a celebrated humorist who, without fail, could find the comic in even the most mundane of situations
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Will fans be able to meet George Lucas at San Diego Comic-Con? San Diego Comic-Con, unlike other comic conventions, does not host meet-and-greet experiences. Greta Cross, USA Today, 19 July 2025 Mason is a stand-up comic Pryor's youngest son is a stand-up comic, just like his dad. Julie Tremaine, People.com, 13 July 2025
Noun
Effects around them — a stream of water, a blast of magic, a foggy cloud — are 2D, and their environments are shaded and colored to look like the setting of a comic. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 16 July 2025 Proceeds from the sales of the comic will be put toward the Armstead Academic Project, Armstead’s nonprofit initiative launched in 2019 to promote student success. Olivia Cyrus july 12, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for comic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin comicus, from Greek kōmikos, from kōmos revel

First Known Use

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1687, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of comic was in 1567

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comic. Accessed 28 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

comic

1 of 2 adjective
1
: of or relating to comedy
a comic actor
2
: causing laughter or amusement : funny
3
: of or relating to comic strips

comic

2 of 2 noun
1
2
b
plural : the part of a newspaper devoted to comic strips

More from Merriam-Webster on comic

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