# sitcom

/ˈsɪtˌkɑm/ (US) · /sˈɪtkɒm/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. television comedy

noun · CEFR B1

a funny TV show about a group of people who are in the same place every week, like a family or office.

For teachers: a television or radio series featuring a consistent set of characters in everyday situations, often using a laugh track or live audience.

- My favourite sitcom is about a group of friends living in New York.
- The network's latest sitcom relies heavily on nostalgic tropes and a traditional multi-camera setup to appeal to older viewers.

Usage: often used as a compound noun or before another noun, as in 'sitcom star' or 'sitcom writer'.

### 2. financial acronym

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · British English

a person or couple with one income, two children, and a very large mortgage.

For teachers: an acronym for 'single income, two children, outrageous mortgage', used to describe a specific socioeconomic demographic.

- With rising house prices, many young families are living as sitcoms.
- The report highlighted the growing number of 'sitcoms' in the suburbs who are struggling to keep up with high interest rates on a single salary.

Usage: used primarily in sociological or financial discussions regarding housing affordability.

## Examples

- We watched a funny sitcom last night.
- The new sitcom focuses on a young family moving to a small town.
- Classic sitcoms often rely on a laugh track to signal humor, whereas modern series prefer naturalistic dialogue and subtle visual gags.

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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.