Word
burlesque
Phoneticsbur·lesque
US/bɝˈɫɛsk/
UK/bɜːlˈɛsk/
Definition
n. a type of show or writing that makes fun of something serious by treating it in a silly way. In modern times, it often refers to a variety show with funny acts and dancing.
n. a literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation. Often involves a discrepancy between the subject matter and the style of treatment, such as treating a trivial subject with mock dignity.
Examples
“The show was a funny burlesque of a famous opera.”
“The theater troupe performed a sharp burlesque of the current political situation, using satire to highlight the absurdity of the new laws.”
Examples
simple
“The show was a funny burlesque of a famous opera.”
contextual
“The theater troupe performed a sharp burlesque of the current political situation, using satire to highlight the absurdity of the new laws.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the genre or style; countable when referring to a specific performance or work.
Real-World Examples
“In Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos, a wealthy man commissions an evening’s entertainment: a lofty new opera and a comic burlesque.” “But The Critic’s Way soon devolves into another of Riches’ familiar burlesques on swaggering but shallow masculinity (ah, so it can’t be me then) with strictly limited insight into Caliban’s critical calling.” Etymology
Borrowed from French burlesque, from Italian burlesco (“parodic”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/burlesque