Comedy Terminology

noun a placeholder for a word or phrase that is considered inappropriate or offensive

adjective used to describe something as annoying, frustrating, or nonsensical

• The professor asked the students to fill in the blankety blank on the exam paper.
• I can't believe I forgot to complete the blankety blank on the form.
• I'm so tired of dealing with this blankety blank paperwork.
• The project was a blankety blank mess from start to finish.

noun a behavior that is ridiculous, funny, or absurd, often done to entertain others

• The CEO was disappointed by the buffoonery displayed during the important board meeting.
• I can't believe the level of buffoonery going on in the office today.
• Stop with the buffoonery, it's getting old.
• His actions were like a performance of buffoonery, making everyone laugh but also causing chaos.

noun a loud, shrill laugh or cry

verb to laugh in a loud, shrill manner

• The old woman let out a loud cackle as she recounted her favorite childhood memory.
• I couldn't help but cackle at the silly joke my friend told me.
• The comedian's joke was so funny, the entire audience erupted in cackles.
• The villain's cackle sent shivers down the hero's spine, signaling danger ahead.

noun a person who performs in a humorous way, such as telling jokes or acting in a funny manner

• The comedian delivered a witty and well-received performance at the charity gala.
• I love going to see stand-up comedians at the local comedy club.
• That comedian is hilarious, he always has me in stitches!
• Being a good comedian requires not just humor, but also timing and delivery.

adjective showing no emotion or animation; expressionless

adverb in a deadpan manner

• The comedian delivered his jokes with a deadpan expression, leaving the audience unsure if he was serious or not.
• She has a deadpan sense of humor that always catches people off guard.
• I love how he can pull off that deadpan delivery, it's so funny!
• Her deadpan response to the criticism showed just how unfazed she was by it.

adjective amusing in an odd or whimsical way

• The comedian's droll humor had the audience in stitches.
• I love your droll sense of humor, it always makes me laugh.
• That guy is so droll, he always has me cracking up.
• Her droll wit cut through the tension in the room like a knife.

verb to fail or be unsuccessful, especially in a dramatic or embarrassing way

• The marketing campaign may fall flat if we don't target the right audience.
• I hope your joke doesn't fall flat at the party tonight.
• His attempt to impress her with his dance moves fell flat.
• Her dreams of becoming a famous singer fell flat when she realized she had no talent.

noun a man who is known for being funny or making others laugh

• The funnyman entertained the audience with his witty jokes and clever humor.
• The funnyman had everyone in stitches with his hilarious stand-up routine.
• That funnyman is a riot, always cracking jokes and making everyone laugh.
• Behind his goofy persona, the funnyman had a deep understanding of human nature and used humor to shed light on important issues.

noun a device for keeping the mouth open or closed, used in comedy or as a form of restraint

verb to play a practical joke on someone

• The comedian's gag about politics was well-received by the audience.
• I can't stop laughing at that silly gag you told earlier!
• That movie had some hilarious gags that had us rolling on the floor.
• His attempt to hide the truth was like a gag that eventually came undone.

noun a light, silly laugh

verb to laugh in a light, silly manner

• The children couldn't help but giggle during the school play.
• She always makes me giggle with her jokes.
• I had to stifle a giggle when I saw his goofy dance moves.
• The wind made the leaves on the trees giggle as they rustled in the breeze.

noun a mistake or error

verb to make a mistake or error

• He made a goof in his report that led to some confusion among the team.
• Don't worry about making a goof, we all make mistakes sometimes.
• I can't believe I goofed up that presentation, I was so nervous.
• His goof of a plan ended up costing us more than we anticipated.

noun a representation of laughter or amusement, often associated with Santa Claus

interjection used to represent the sound of laughter or amusement, often associated with Santa Claus

• The jolly man in the red suit exclaimed 'Ho ho ho!' as he greeted the children at the Christmas party.
• I heard Santa's signature 'Ho ho ho!' as he made his way through the mall.
• The comedian's impersonation of Santa's 'ho ho ho' had the audience in stitches.
• The CEO let out a hearty 'ho ho ho' as he received news of record-breaking profits.

noun a trick or joke intended to deceive or cheat

verb to deceive or cheat

• The politician's hoke speech failed to convince the audience of his sincerity.
• I can't believe he tried to hoke his way out of that situation.
• Stop hoking around and get to work!
• His promises were nothing but hoke and mirrors.

noun a style of theatrical performance or writing that is exaggerated or melodramatic; nonsense or foolishness

• The article was filled with hokum and lacked any credible sources.
• I can't believe they expect us to buy into that hokum.
• That movie was just a bunch of hokum, don't waste your time watching it.
• His promises were nothing but hokum, they never came true.

noun a low, muffled sound like that of an owl

verb to make a hoot sound

interjection used to express amusement or scorn

• The owl let out a loud hoot as it perched on the tree branch.
• I heard a hoot coming from the woods last night, probably just an owl.
• That party was a real hoot, we had so much fun!
• The comedian's jokes were a hoot, the audience couldn't stop laughing.

noun the quality of being amusing or entertaining

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• His humor was appreciated by all at the business conference.
• She always has a great sense of humor and makes everyone laugh.
• That stand-up comedian has some killer humor!
• The humor in his writing adds depth and complexity to the story.

adjective causing amusement or laughter; funny

• The speaker delivered a humorous speech that kept the audience entertained.
• My dad always tells the most humorous jokes at family gatherings.
• That stand-up comedian is so funny, his jokes are seriously humorous.
• Her humorous personality lights up the room and brings joy to everyone around her.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The children played games in fun at the school fair.
• We decided to prank our friend in fun, but it didn't go as planned.
• Let's go out and do something crazy in fun tonight!
• She always speaks her mind in fun, but sometimes it can hurt others' feelings.

noun a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline

verb to tell a joke or make a joke; to say something amusing or witty

• He told a witty joke during his speech, which lightened the mood in the room.
• I heard a funny joke at the party last night that had everyone laughing.
• That joke was so savage, I couldn't stop laughing!
• Her excuse for being late was a joke, as it was obvious she just overslept.

noun a person who jokes or teases in a playful manner

• The professor was known for being a kidder in the classroom, often lightening the mood with his witty jokes.
• My uncle is quite the kidder, always teasing us at family gatherings.
• My best friend is such a kidder, always cracking jokes and making everyone laugh.
• The comedian was a master kidder, able to playfully poke fun at serious topics in his stand-up routines.

noun A person who writes or performs lampoons, which are satirical compositions that mock or ridicule someone or something.

• The lampooner's satirical sketches were widely acclaimed for their wit and incisiveness.
• The lampooner really knows how to roast people with their jokes.
• That lampooner is a savage when it comes to making fun of others.
• The lampooner's words were like sharp daggers, piercing through the facade of pretense.

noun lack of seriousness, especially in a serious situation

• The speaker's attempt at levity during the serious conference fell flat.
• I appreciate your levity, it really lightens the mood.
• I love hanging out with Sarah, she always brings the levity.
• Laughter is the best form of levity in times of hardship.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• It is inappropriate to make fun of someone's appearance.
• Don't make fun of her, she's sensitive about that.
• Stop making fun of him, it's not cool.
• It's not nice to make fun of someone's insecurities.

noun a practical joke or mischievous act

verb to play a trick or practical joke on someone

• The students were reprimanded for pulling a prank in the school library.
• I can't believe you actually fell for that prank!
• That prank was so epic, everyone was talking about it for days.
• His words were like a prank, meant to deceive and mislead.

verb to tease or mock someone in a playful or good-natured way

• The students engaged in good-natured razzing during the school assembly.
• My friends are always razzing me about my fashion choices.
• Stop razzing me, dude! It's getting annoying.
• The comedian's razzing of the audience added to the overall entertainment of the show.

adjective capable of causing laughter; laughable

• The idea that unicorns exist is risible to most scientists.
• His attempt at singing was so bad, it was downright risible.
• The new fashion trend is absolutely risible, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing that.
• The politician's promise to lower taxes was risible, considering his track record of raising them.

noun a gimmick or routine used to attract attention or entertain others

• The comedian's shtick involves a lot of observational humor and witty one-liners.
• His shtick is to always tell cheesy jokes to break the ice.
• She's got this whole shtick where she pretends to be clueless, but she's actually really smart.
• The politician's shtick of promising change without any concrete plans is starting to wear thin with voters.

noun a type of comedy that involves a set of characters in a particular setting dealing with humorous situations

• The situation comedy on television is known for its witty dialogue and humorous situations.
• I love watching that sitcom, it's the best situation comedy on TV.
• That show is a total sitcom, always making me laugh.
• Life can sometimes feel like a situation comedy with all the unexpected twists and turns.

noun a type of comedy characterized by exaggerated physical humor and absurd situations

adjective relating to or characteristic of slapstick comedy

• The play was filled with slapstick humor that had the audience laughing throughout.
• I love watching old slapstick comedies with all the silly physical humor.
• That movie was so slapstick, I couldn't stop laughing!
• His attempts at fixing the problem were like a slapstick comedy, one mishap after another.

noun a low, half-suppressed laugh

verb to laugh in a half-suppressed, indecorous or disrespectful manner

• She couldn't help but snicker at the professor's subtle joke during the lecture.
• I saw Sarah snicker when the dog stole her sandwich.
• The group of teenagers began to snicker when they saw the funny meme.
• The villain let out a snicker as his evil plan started to unfold.

noun a disrespectful laugh or chuckle

verb to laugh in a disrespectful or mocking manner

• She couldn't help but notice the subtle snigger from the back of the room during her presentation.
• I saw him sniggering behind his hand when she tripped on the sidewalk.
• The boys were sniggering at the new kid's awkward attempt at a joke.
• The dark clouds seemed to snigger at the sun's feeble attempt to break through.

noun a physical position of standing

verb to rise to an upright position on the feet

• Please stand up when the judge enters the courtroom.
• Hey, can you stand up and let me sit there?
• I dare you to stand up to that bully and show them who's boss.
• It's time to stand up for what you believe in and make a difference.

noun a man who plays the role of the serious or conventional partner in a comedy duo

• In a comedy duo, the straight man plays the role of the serious and logical character.
• The straight man in the group always keeps things in check when the others get too wild.
• The straight man at the party was a real buzzkill, always trying to bring the mood down.
• She saw herself as the straight man in their relationship, always having to be the voice of reason.

adjective describes a noun or pronoun, in this case indicating that something happened before it was expected or appropriate

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating the time at which an action takes place or the degree to which something is done

• It would be inappropriate to discuss the details of the incident so soon after it occurred.
• I think it's too soon to make any decisions about our next vacation.
• Dude, it's way too soon to start talking about Christmas decorations.
• She just broke up with her boyfriend, so it's too soon to start setting her up with someone else.

noun a performer in vaudeville, a type of variety entertainment popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

• The vaudevillian performer captivated the audience with their comedic timing and physicality.
• I heard that vaudevillian acts were really popular back in the day.
• That vaudevillian routine was a real knee-slapper!
• Her storytelling style was like that of a vaudevillian, keeping the audience engaged and entertained.

adjective used to describe something or someone as eccentric, unusual, or unconventional

• The scientist presented his wacky theory at the conference.
• I can't believe she wore those wacky socks to the party.
• That movie was so wacky, I couldn't stop laughing.
• His wacky sense of humor always brightens up the room.

noun a clever or sarcastic remark

verb to make a clever or sarcastic remark

• During the meeting, he made a wisecrack about the company's recent financial troubles.
• She always has a wisecrack ready to lighten the mood.
• He dropped a hilarious wisecrack that had everyone laughing.
• Her sharp wit and wisecracks cut through the tension in the room.

noun a person who makes clever or sarcastic remarks in a humorous way

• The wisecracker at the party entertained everyone with his clever jokes.
• I love hanging out with that wisecracker, he always has me laughing.
• The wisecracker never fails to crack me up with his witty remarks.
• She may come across as serious, but deep down she's a real wisecracker.

noun a clever or witty remark or comment

• The speaker concluded his presentation with a clever witticism that left the audience chuckling.
• My grandpa always has a funny witticism ready to share during family gatherings.
• I love watching stand-up comedians who have a knack for delivering hilarious witticisms.
• Her witticism cut through the tension in the room like a sharp knife, bringing laughter and relief to everyone.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

pronoun a word that takes the place of a noun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses

interjection a word or phrase used to express emotion or surprise

article a word that specifies a noun as definite or indefinite

• The comedian's witty jokes never failed to tickle the audience's funny bone.
• That meme always tickles my funny bone.
• His stand-up routine really tickled my funny bone.
• The clever wordplay in the poem tickled my funny bone.

noun joke - a humorous or amusing story, dialogue, or statement

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that specifies a noun as definite or indefinite (e.g. 'the', 'a', 'an')

• It took her a while to see the joke, but once she did, she couldn't stop laughing.
• At first, he didn't see the joke, but after a moment, he burst out laughing.
• She finally saw the joke and was rolling on the floor laughing.
• Sometimes it takes a moment for people to see the joke and understand the humor behind it.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea, 'hilaribad' could potentially be used as a noun to refer to something that is both hilarious and bad

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, in this case, 'hilaribad' is likely a made-up word combining 'hilarious' and 'bad' to convey a mixed or conflicting feeling

• The comedian's attempt at humor fell flat and was deemed hilaribad by the audience.
• That movie was hilaribad, I couldn't stop laughing at how bad it was.
• The new stand-up routine was so hilaribad, it had everyone in stitches.
• The team's performance on the field was hilaribad, they couldn't seem to get anything right.

noun a person who tells jokes or plays tricks on others for amusement; a comedian or prankster

• The police were able to apprehend the notorious gagster who had been terrorizing the city with his pranks.
• I heard that new guy at work is a real gagster, always cracking jokes and making everyone laugh.
• That gagster at the party had everyone in stitches with his hilarious impressions.
• The comedian was a true gagster, able to twist any situation into a humorous anecdote.

noun a person in a position of secondary importance or status

• The vice president is often referred to as the second banana in the company.
• I don't want to be anyone's second banana, I want to be the star of the show.
• He's always playing second banana to his more popular friend.
• In the world of politics, being a second banana can sometimes be more powerful than being the leader.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

• The speaker's attempt at humor fell flat when he made a bad joke during the conference.
• I can't believe you just made that bad joke in front of everyone.
• That was such a cringy bad joke, dude.
• Her comment about the situation being a bad joke was a metaphor for how ridiculous it was.

noun a type of dancing characterized by awkward or uncoordinated movements typically performed by older men, often at social gatherings or events

• The guests at the wedding were amused by the sight of the father of the bride dad dancing on the dance floor.
• My dad always embarrasses me with his dad dancing whenever we have a family gathering.
• I couldn't stop laughing when I saw my old man busting out some dad dancing at the party.
• His awkward dad dancing symbolized his attempt to fit in with the younger crowd.

noun a slang term used in Australian English to describe someone who is silly or foolish

• The teacher reprimanded the student for calling his classmate a boofhead.
• My brother can be such a boofhead sometimes, but I still love him.
• Don't be a boofhead and listen to what I'm saying!
• His stubbornness made him a real boofhead when it came to accepting new ideas.

noun a form of comedy in which a comedian performs alone on stage, typically speaking directly to the audience

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adjective describing a type of comedy performance

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• The comedian performed a stand-up routine at the theater last night.
• I love going to see stand-up comedy shows with my friends.
• Have you ever tried doing stand-up? It's so much fun!
• She always has a way of standing up for what she believes in.

noun a term used to refer to laughter or humor

• The comedian delivered a series of clever yuks during his stand-up routine.
• We had a great time at the comedy club last night, lots of yuks!
• I love watching stand-up comedians, they always have the best yuks.
• His witty remarks always bring yuks to our conversations.

noun things that are extremely unreasonable, incongruous, or illogical

• The philosopher pointed out the numerous absurdities in the logic of the argument.
• It's crazy how many absurdities are in this movie plot.
• I can't believe the absurdities that went down at that party last night.
• Her mind was a whirlwind of absurdities, making it hard to focus on reality.

noun a person who improvises or delivers spontaneously, especially in public speaking or performance

• The actor was known for his exceptional skills as an ad-libber, often improvising lines during live performances.
• She's a natural ad-libber, always coming up with funny jokes on the spot.
• That guy is such a great ad-libber, he can make up a story out of thin air.
• Being an ad-libber in life can sometimes lead to unexpected and exciting outcomes.