comic
gb/kˈɑmɪk/ us/kˈɑmɪk/
A2
English
~ 4300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
funny or amusing
Meant to make people laugh.
Usage pattern:
a comic [story/show/situation]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'comic' with 'comical'. 'Comical' is less common and can imply something is funny in an odd way.
Synonyms
funny (More general and common; can be used for anything that causes laughter, not just deliberate humor.)
Antonyms
serious (Describes something without humor or fun, often dealing with important matters.)
Collocations
comic relief
|comic timing
|comic effect
|comic performance
Themes
entertainment
|humor
|media
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The movie had several comic moments that lightened the mood.
- Her comic expression made everyone in the room laugh.
- He has a natural talent for creating comic situations.
Learner examples
- The book is very comic.
- She told a comic story.
- That was a comic scene in the film.
Noun
B1
entity
2
comedian or humorist
A person who makes people laugh for work.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'comic' here means a book or magazine, but in this sense it means a person.
Synonyms
comedian (Most common modern term for a performer who tells jokes or performs humor.)
Antonyms
dramatic actor (An actor who performs serious roles rather than humorous ones.)
Collocations
stand-up comic
|comic actor
|comic genius
Themes
entertainment
|humor
|arts_entertainment
|work
Examples
- The comic had the audience laughing from start to finish.
- Many comics start their careers in small clubs.
- She's one of the most popular comics on television.
Learner examples
- The comic made us laugh.
- He is a famous comic.
- I saw a comic at the club.
Noun
A2
entity
3
illustrated story magazine
A book or magazine with stories in pictures and words.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'comic' to mean 'funny story' without pictures; in this sense it specifically means illustrated stories.
Synonyms
graphic novel (Usually refers to a longer, more complex comic story, often aimed at adults.)
Antonyms
textbook (A book focused on factual information, not entertainment or stories.)
Collocations
comic book
|comic strip
|read comics
Themes
media
|literature
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- He collects rare comics from the 1960s.
- The Sunday paper includes a section of comics.
- She bought a new comic about superheroes.
Learner examples
- I like to read comics.
- This comic is very funny.
- He has many old comics.
Grammar
Expressions
stand-up comic
1/stˈænd ˈʌp kˈɑmɪk/
fixed phrase
solo comedy performer
A person who tells jokes alone on stage to make people laugh.
Examples
- He's been working as a stand-up comic for five years.
- The stand-up comic had the whole crowd laughing.
comic relief
1/kˈɑmɪk ɹɪlˈif/
fixed phrase
humor in serious context
A funny part in a serious story or situation that makes people relax for a moment.
Examples
- The character provides comic relief in the otherwise tense drama.
- The funny sidekick provided comic relief in the tense drama.
- Comic relief helps keep the play from becoming too heavy.
- That joke was much-needed comic relief during the meeting.
comic strip
1/kˈɑmɪk stɹˈɪp/
fixed phrase
short cartoon sequence in print
A short story told in pictures, usually printed in newspapers or magazines.
Examples
- I love reading the Sunday comic strips.
- I read my favorite comic strip every Sunday.
- That comic strip always makes me laugh.
- The newspaper's comic strip always makes me smile.