comedian
gb/kəmˈidiən/ us/kəmˈidiən/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
role
1
person who performs comedy
A comedian is a person who makes people laugh as a job.
Usage pattern:
a comedian; [someone] is a comedian
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse comedian (a person) with comedy (the type of performance/movie).
Synonyms
comic (Common alternative, especially in entertainment contexts.)
|
funny man (More informal; often used for men and can sound slightly dated.)
Antonyms
serious person (Opposite in attitude, not a direct job title.)
Collocations
stand-up comedian
|professional comedian
|famous comedian
|comedian and actor
|comedian and writer
|touring comedian
|TV comedian
|comedy club comedian
|up-and-coming comedian
|award-winning comedian
Themes
entertainment
|performing_arts
|humor
Examples
- She’s a comedian who tours comedy clubs around the country.
- The comedian opened the show with a few jokes about travel.
- I recognized the comedian from a popular podcast.
Learner examples
- My brother is a comedian.
- We watched a comedian on TV.
Noun
B2
role
2
actor known for comedy roles
A comedian can also be an actor who often plays funny characters.
Usage pattern:
a comedian; [someone] is a comedian
Common mistake:
Not every comedian is an actor; some only perform live or write jokes.
Synonyms
comedic actor (More specific; emphasizes acting rather than performing jokes.)
Antonyms
dramatic actor (An actor known mainly for serious roles.)
Collocations
Hollywood comedian
|TV comedian
|comedic actor and comedian
|popular comedian
|veteran comedian
|comedian best known for
|comedian in a dramatic role
|comedian-turned-actor
|comedian-turned-director
|rom-com comedian
Themes
entertainment
|film_tv
|humor
Examples
- The comedian surprised critics with a serious performance in the new drama.
- He became a household name as a TV comedian in the 2000s.
- Several comedians from the cast later starred in movies.
Learner examples
- That comedian is also a great actor.
Noun
informal
B2
role
3
person who jokes a lot
Someone who is always joking and trying to be funny.
Usage pattern:
(often ironic) [someone] is a real comedian
Common mistake:
This sense can be ironic or critical, depending on tone (e.g., ‘Yeah, you’re a real comedian.’).
Synonyms
joker (More general; can also mean someone not taken seriously.)
|
wisecracker (More specific; someone who makes quick, often sarcastic jokes.)
Antonyms
killjoy (Someone who stops others from enjoying themselves.)
Collocations
real comedian
|such a comedian
|wannabe comedian
|think you're a comedian
|play the comedian
|office comedian
|class comedian
|the family comedian
|no comedian
|act like a comedian
Themes
daily_life
|humor
|relationships
Examples
- Stop making faces—you’re not a comedian.
- He’s the comedian of the group, always ready with a joke.
- ‘Thanks for the advice,’ she said, ‘you’re a real comedian.’
Learner examples
- He is the comedian in our class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
comedian
IPA
GB/kəmˈidiən/
US/kəmˈidiən/
Syllables & stress
comedi - an (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (an)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: comedian
- Plural: comedians
Word family
Expressions
born comedian
1/bˈɔɹn kəmˈidiən/
fixed phrase
naturally very funny person
Someone who is naturally funny.
Examples
- Even as a kid, he was a born comedian.
- She’s a born comedian—she can make any story funny.
comedians' comedian
1/kəmˈidiənz kəmˈidiən/
fixed phrase
comedian admired by comedians
A comedian that other comedians think is excellent.
Examples
- He’s a comedians' comedian—hugely influential, but not a big celebrity.
- Among performers, she’s known as a comedians' comedian.
sketch comedian
1/skˈɛt͡ʃ kəmˈidiən/
fixed phrase
comedian who acts in sketches
A sketch comedian performs short funny scenes.
Examples
- He started as a sketch comedian on late-night TV.
- Several sketch comedians from the show later became movie stars.
stand-up comedian
1/stˈænd ˈʌp kəmˈidiən/
fixed phrase
comedian who performs alone
A stand-up comedian tells jokes alone on a stage.
Examples
- She worked as a stand-up comedian before getting a TV show.
- We saw a stand-up comedian at a small club downtown.
- Many stand-up comedians test new jokes on tour.