# parody

/ˈpɛɹədi/ (US) · /pˈæɹədi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/parody
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. humorous imitation

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The movie is a funny parody of old detective films from the 1940s.
- 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. to mimic for humor

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 3. a proverb

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

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

For teachers: a popular maxim, adage, or proverb.

- The old book was full of parodies and wise sayings from the village.
- In the seventeenth-century manuscript, the author frequently cites a local parody to justify his moral stance.

Teaching tip: This sense is obsolete in modern English; learners will almost exclusively encounter 'parody' in the context of humor and satire.

## Examples

- The comedian performed a hilarious parody of the president's speech.
- The movie is a clever parody of 1950s science fiction films, complete with wobbly sets and dramatic music.
- 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.

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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.