ENGLISH
REFERENCE

parody

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɛɹədi// UK //pˈæɹədi// par·o·dy Archaic

n. a piece of writing, music, or art that copies someone else's style in a funny way. You use it to make fun of the original work or to show its typical habits.

n. a literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author or a work for comic effect or ridicule. Often involves the exaggeration of specific stylistic tropes to highlight their absurdity.


SIMPLE

The comedian performed a hilarious parody of the president's speech.

CONTEXTUAL

The movie is a clever parody of 1950s science fiction films, complete with wobbly sets and dramatic music.

COMPLEX

While some viewed the novel as a biting parody of the upper class, others argued it was a sincere, if clumsy, attempt to emulate the Victorian masters.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin parōdia, from Ancient Greek παρῳδία (parōidía, “parody”), from παρά (pará, “besides”) + ᾠδή (ōidḗ, “song”).

Usage

Countable when referring to a specific work; uncountable when referring to the genre or technique in general.

© 2026 English Reference