Word
deadpan
Phoneticsdead·pan, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɛdˌpæn/
UK/dˈɛdpæn/
Definition
adj. showing no emotion on your face, even when something is funny. You use it for jokes told in a serious, calm way.
adj. deliberately impassive in facial expression, especially while delivering humour. Often describes a comic style where serious demeanour contrasts with absurd content.
Examples
“She tells funny stories with a deadpan face.”
“The teacher keeps a deadpan expression while reading the silly poem, and the class laughs even harder.”
“The comedian's deadpan delivery made the absurd stories feel even funnier because his face never changed.”
Examples
simple
“She tells funny stories with a deadpan face.”
contextual
“The teacher keeps a deadpan expression while reading the silly poem, and the class laughs even harder.”
complex
“The comedian's deadpan delivery made the absurd stories feel even funnier because his face never changed.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “deadpan” in context.
Verb
01. keep deadpan
“The actor tried hard to keep deadpan during the funny scene.”
verb + adj
Noun
02. deadpan comedy
“I love his deadpan comedy and calm stage presence.”
adj + noun
03. deadpan delivery
“The comedian is famous for her deadpan delivery of jokes.”
adj + noun
04. deadpan expression
“With a deadpan expression, he announced that aliens had landed.”
adj + noun
05. deadpan face
“She told the absurd story with a straight, deadpan face.”
adj + noun
06. deadpan humour
“British comedy often relies on dry, deadpan humour.”
adj + noun
07. deadpan joke
“He slipped a quiet deadpan joke into the serious meeting.”
adj + noun
08. deadpan style
“Her deadpan style makes her stand-up routines unforgettable.”
adj + noun
09. deadpan voice
“He read the funny announcement in a flat, deadpan voice.”
adj + noun
10. deliver in a deadpan style
“The punchline was delivered in a deadpan style.”
11. keep a deadpan face
“She kept a deadpan face while everyone else was laughing.”
12. maintain a deadpan expression
“He maintained a deadpan expression throughout the prank.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; also follows linking verbs such as 'remain' or 'stay'.
Real-World Examples
“Toward the end of this year’s Google I/O keynote, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis declared, with a completely deadpan face, that the company hopes to “reimagine the drug discovery process with the goal of one day solving all disease.” “Chris Parnell has perfected the art of using his extremely average appearance — and voice — to deliver disarmingly strange, ridiculous and deadpan comedy.” Etymology
From dead + pan (“face”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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