# pantomime

/ˈpæntəˌmaɪm/ (US) · /pˈɑːntəmˌaɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pantomime
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. British holiday play

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a funny musical play for children, usually performed around Christmas in the UK, featuring jokes and fairy tales.

For teachers: a traditional British theatrical entertainment for children involving music, topical jokes, and slapstick, often based on fairy tales.

- We took the children to see a pantomime of Cinderella during the Christmas holidays.
- The local theatre's annual pantomime remains their most profitable production, drawing large family audiences with its blend of slapstick and satire.

### 2. silent gesture

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of using hand movements and facial expressions to tell a story without speaking.

For teachers: the use of gestures and facial expressions to convey meaning or a narrative without the use of speech.

- He used pantomime to show that he wanted a glass of water since he couldn't speak the language.
- The hiker resorted to pantomime to communicate his injury to the rescue team across the valley.

### 3. ancient drama

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

a type of performance in ancient Rome where one actor played all the parts using only gestures.

For teachers: a form of dramatic entertainment in ancient Rome in which a single performer portrayed all characters through dance and gesture.

- Historians study the Roman pantomime to understand how ancient audiences enjoyed silent storytelling.
- The Roman pantomime differed significantly from modern mime, as it was often accompanied by a chorus and an orchestra.

### 4. to mime

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to act something out using only your body and face without making any sound.

For teachers: to represent or express something through silent gesture and movement.

- She pantomimed opening a heavy door to show the children how to act.
- The witness pantomimed the act of drawing a weapon to clarify his testimony for the jury.

Usage: This verb is transitive and requires a direct object representing the action being mimed.

## Examples

- The children love the pantomime every Christmas.
- The local theater is preparing a new pantomime based on the classic tale of Cinderella.
- While the pantomime has evolved over centuries, it remains a vital part of the British cultural calendar, blending high-energy physical comedy with a familiar narrative structure that appeals to all ages.

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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.