ENGLISH
REFERENCE

vaudeville

n.
C2 Proficiency US //ˈvɑdvɪɫ// UK //vˈɔːdəvˌɪl// vaude·ville Archaic

n. a type of old-fashioned theater show that includes many different acts like singing, dancing, and comedy. It was very popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

n. a style of theatrical entertainment consisting of a series of short, varied acts, including music, dance, and comedy. Historically significant as a precursor to modern variety shows and musical theater.


SIMPLE

The theater was famous for its vaudeville performances.

CONTEXTUAL

During the early twentieth century, vaudeville was the primary form of popular entertainment for middle-class audiences across the United States.

COMPLEX

The transition from vaudeville to the modern musical was marked by the increasing integration of narrative structure and the rise of the cinematic medium.

Origin

Borrowed from French vaudeville.

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