comic
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a magazine or book that tells a story through a series of drawings.
n.a publication consisting of sequential art, typically featuring speech bubbles and captions to convey a narrative.
Simple“He bought a new superhero comic at the shop this morning.”
In context“The collector spent years searching for the original comic that introduced the iconic villain to the series.”
Synonymsgraphic novelcomic book - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a person whose job is to make people laugh, like a comedian.
n.a professional entertainer or comedian who performs humorous material.
Simple“The comic told several jokes that made the whole audience laugh.”
In context“The club features a different stand-up comic every Saturday night to ensure the routine remains fresh for regular patrons.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
adj.making you laugh or feel amused.
adj.causing laughter or amusement; humorous in nature or intent.
Simple“The movie had a comic scene where the dog tried to cook dinner.”
In context“The playwright masterfully balanced the tragic elements of the plot with moments of comic relief to prevent the atmosphere from becoming too heavy.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.connected to the style of comedy in books, plays, or films.
adj.pertaining to the genre of comedy as a literary or dramatic form.
Simple“She is a talented comic actress who has won many awards.”
In context“The professor discussed the evolution of comic timing in early twentieth-century silent cinema during the lecture.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun it describes.
comic vs comical — Comic describes the genre or profession of comedy, while comical describes something that makes you laugh because it is funny or absurd.
“And so the dreams came true for a comic who cut his standup teeth aged 17.”
“You can fall victim to your own high standards – and few comics have set higher standards than Jordan Brookes.”
From Latin comicus, from Ancient Greek κωμικός (kōmikós, “relating to comedy”), from κῶμος (kômos, “carousal”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.