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parody

n. · v.
US //ˈpɛɹədi// UK //pˈæɹədi// par·o·dy
  1. 1 humorous imitation (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a book, film, or song that copies a famous style in a funny way to make fun of it.

    a literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author or a work for comic effect or ridicule.

    Example

    The movie is a funny parody of old detective films from the 1940s.

    Example

    The comedian performed a biting parody of the prime minister's speech, perfectly capturing his repetitive phrasing and awkward gestures.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'of' to indicate the target of the imitation.
  2. 2 to mimic for humor (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to copy the way someone speaks or writes to make people laugh at them.

    to produce a humorously exaggerated imitation of a writer, artist, or genre.

    Example

    He likes to parody famous singers by exaggerating their high notes.

    Example

    The novelist managed to parody the dry, academic tone of legal documents while still maintaining a compelling narrative.

    Usage

    This is a transitive verb that requires a direct object.
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  1. 3 a proverb (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    an old word for a common saying or a piece of traditional advice.

    a popular maxim, adage, or proverb.

    Example

    The old book was full of parodies and wise sayings from the village.

    Example

    In the seventeenth-century manuscript, the author frequently cites a local parody to justify his moral stance.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is obsolete in modern English; learners will almost exclusively encounter 'parody' in the context of humor and satire.
Origin

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

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