Stand-Up Comedy Styles

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.

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.