# comic

/ˈkɑmɪk/ (US) · /kˈɒmɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/comic
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a book with pictures

noun · CEFR A2

a magazine or book that tells a story through a series of drawings.

For teachers: a publication consisting of sequential art, typically featuring speech bubbles and captions to convey a narrative.

- He bought a new superhero comic at the shop this morning.
- The collector spent years searching for the original comic that introduced the iconic villain to the series.

### 2. a funny person

noun · CEFR B2

a person whose job is to make people laugh, like a comedian.

For teachers: a professional entertainer or comedian who performs humorous material.

- The comic told several jokes that made the whole audience laugh.
- The club features a different stand-up comic every Saturday night to ensure the routine remains fresh for regular patrons.

### 3. funny or amusing

adjective · CEFR B1

making you laugh or feel amused.

For teachers: causing laughter or amusement; humorous in nature or intent.

- The movie had a comic scene where the dog tried to cook dinner.
- The playwright masterfully balanced the tragic elements of the plot with moments of comic relief to prevent the atmosphere from becoming too heavy.

### 4. relating to comedy

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

connected to the style of comedy in books, plays, or films.

For teachers: pertaining to the genre of comedy as a literary or dramatic form.

- She is a talented comic actress who has won many awards.
- The professor discussed the evolution of comic timing in early twentieth-century silent cinema during the lecture.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it describes.

## Examples

- He reads a comic every morning with his breakfast.
- The local bookstore has a large section dedicated to vintage comics and modern graphic novels.
- While often dismissed as juvenile entertainment, the modern comic has evolved into a sophisticated medium for exploring complex political and social themes through visual metaphor.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.