Word
slapstick
Phoneticsslap·stick, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɫæpˌstɪk/
UK/slˈæpstɪk/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a type of comedy that uses physical humor, like falling over or hitting things, to make people laugh. It is usually very silly and does not rely on words.
n. a style of physical comedy characterized by exaggerated, often violent, physical action and visual gags. Frequently associated with silent film and early television, it relies on the audience's visual interpretation rather than dialogue.
Examples
“The movie is full of slapstick and funny accidents.”
“While the script was weak, the film relied on classic slapstick to keep the audience entertained.”
“Modern comedies often blend sophisticated wordplay with occasional bursts of slapstick to appeal to a broad demographic, though purists argue that physical humor alone lacks the nuance of character-driven satire.”
Examples
simple
“The movie is full of slapstick and funny accidents.”
contextual
“While the script was weak, the film relied on classic slapstick to keep the audience entertained.”
complex
“Modern comedies often blend sophisticated wordplay with occasional bursts of slapstick to appeal to a broad demographic, though purists argue that physical humor alone lacks the nuance of character-driven satire.”
Real-World Examples
“Things went so badly that a compilation of their slapstick defending quickly gained traction on social media.” “The relationship between the sad clowns holed up in their grimy space, just about surviving the postapocalyptic threat outside, leans into slapstick.” Etymology
From slap + stick, calque of Italian batacchio. The pair of sticks was used by the comic character Harlequin in the commedia dell'arte.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/slapstick