comical
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
funny in a way that makes you smile or laugh, often because it is silly or unusual.
provoking laughter or amusement, typically through whimsical or absurd qualities.
Simple“The sight of the large dog trying to fit into the tiny bed was quite comical.”
In context“The actor's comical expressions during the silent film sequence were enough to keep the entire audience laughing without a single line of dialogue.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
so silly or strange that it is hard to take seriously.
deserving of ridicule or laughter due to being absurd or poorly executed.
Simple“It was comical how many mistakes they made in such a simple task.”
In context“The company's attempt to rebrand itself was almost comical, as the new logo looked exactly like the one they had just replaced.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
connected to the style of comedy in plays or books.
pertaining to the genre or characteristics of comedy as a literary or dramatic form.
Simple“The play was a comical masterpiece that entertained the city for months.”
In context“The playwright was celebrated for his comical genius, blending sharp social satire with traditional slapstick elements.”
comical vs comic — Comic describes the genre or profession of comedy, while comical describes something that makes you laugh because it is funny or absurd.
From Middle English comicalle, from Latin cōmicus + Middle English -alle (modern -al). By surface analysis, comic + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.