burlesque
burlesque — noun
- burlesquesingular
- burlesquesplural
1. A piece of writing, film, or stage performance that makes a serious subject seem
A piece of writing, film, or stage performance that makes a serious subject seem foolish by treating it in a deliberately exaggerated or silly style.
Romi wrote a burlesque of the mayor's speech, copying its pompous tone for comic effect.
burlesque of [something] for comic effect
The play is a burlesque of Victorian drama, with actors overacting every emotional scene.
burlesque of [genre]
Critics praised the film as a sharp burlesque of Hollywood action movies.
Kwame's group performed a burlesque of Romeo and Juliet, with Pablo squeaking the balcony speech.
- parody
a close synonym, but parody can be affectionate while burlesque is always mocking
- caricature
exaggerates physical or personality traits rather than imitating a style of writing or speech
- travesty
a cruder, more contemptuous imitation; often implies distortion beyond humor
- tribute
an honest, respectful portrayal rather than a mocking one
文法句型
burlesque + of + [something]
用法筆記
Often used with 'of' plus the work or style being mocked. Compare with 'parody' — a burlesque caricatures the form itself (e.g., the overblown style of opera), while a parody imitates a specific text or person.
常見錯誤
2. A type of live theater popular in the United States during the late 1800s and ea
A type of live theater popular in the United States during the late 1800s and early 1900s, combining comedy sketches, songs, dances, and often striptease performances.
Burlesque theaters in New York once featured comedians, singers, and dancers on the same stage.
burlesque theaters in [city]
Eli's grandmother performed as a singer in burlesque shows in Chicago during the 1920s.
By the 1930s, burlesque had become one of America's most popular forms of live entertainment.
The museum has a collection of costumes from old burlesque halls in San Francisco.
Audiences packed the burlesque houses to watch comic skits and musical numbers.
- vaudeville
similar variety-show format but was family-oriented and did not include striptease
- revue
a theatrical show with songs and sketches, but typically without the comic crudeness or striptease
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the genre as a whole ('Burlesque was popular in the 1920s'). Countable when referring to individual venues or shows ('a burlesque' or 'burlesque houses'). Distinguish from vaudeville — burlesque was more risqué and featured striptease acts.
常見錯誤
3. A modern form of entertainment in which performers dance and gradually remove th
A modern form of entertainment in which performers dance and gradually remove their clothes on stage in a playful or theatrical style, often with comedy and music.
The club hosts a burlesque show every Saturday with dancers and live music.
hosts a burlesque show
Heloísa took burlesque classes to learn dancing with fans and feather boas.
At a Seattle lounge, Mei-Lin opened her burlesque act by tripping over a feather boa, making the crowd laugh.
Daichi photographed a burlesque performance for a fashion magazine last spring.
- cabaret
a show with music and dance in an intimate setting, but not typically involving striptease
- striptease
focuses on the act of undressing itself, without the theatrical comedy and music
用法筆記
Frequently used attributively ('burlesque dancer', 'burlesque club', 'burlesque costume'). This sense has experienced a revival since the 1990s as 'neo-burlesque,' which emphasizes theatricality and audience participation over pure striptease.
burlesque — adjective
- burlesquepositive
- more burlesquecomparative
- most burlesquesuperlative
1. Having the playful, exaggerated, or glamorous style associated with burlesque st
Having the playful, exaggerated, or glamorous style associated with burlesque stage shows, especially in costume, music, or decor.
The actress wore a burlesque costume with sequins, long gloves, and a feather headdress.
burlesque costume with [details]
Sumin decorated the party with burlesque decorations like red curtains and velvet chairs.
Her burlesque makeup included heavy eyeliner and bright red lipstick.
The show had a burlesque feel, with jazz music and dancers in sparkling outfits.
- theatrical
broader in meaning; any theater-related style, not specifically burlesque
- glamorous
captures the showy elegance but not the playful or exaggerated quality
文法句型
burlesque + [noun]
用法筆記
Typically describes aesthetic elements — costumes, makeup, music, decor, or atmosphere — inspired by historical burlesque theater rather than modern dance shows.
2. Using exaggerated humor to make a serious subject appear laughable, especially a
Using exaggerated humor to make a serious subject appear laughable, especially as a deliberate technique in writing, art, or performance.
The cartoon offered a burlesque view of the prime minister's press conference.
burlesque view of [event]
Mert wrote a burlesque article about office meetings, turning every boring detail into a joke.
The comedian gave a burlesque version of the opera, singing arias in a silly voice.
Andrei enjoys reading burlesque poems that make fun of famous love sonnets.
文法句型
burlesque + [noun (work/product)]
用法筆記
Applied to any creative work — an article, cartoon, poem, or film — that uses burlesque as a technique. The subject being mocked is typically an institution, genre, or public figure, not a private individual.
burlesque — verb
- burlesquepresent simple I / you / we / they
- burlesques3rd person singular
- burlesquing-ing form
- burlesquedpast simple
1. To copy and exaggerate someone's style, way of speaking, or actions in order to
To copy and exaggerate someone's style, way of speaking, or actions in order to make them appear ridiculous, usually for comic effect.
The sketch show burlesques popular TV commercials by copying their style in funny ways.
burlesques + [target]
In her performance, Tara burlesqued the dance moves of a famous pop singer.
Heather wrote a short film that burlesques the way doctors speak in medical dramas.
The cartoonist regularly burlesques politicians in the weekend newspaper.
- parody
more common in everyday use; can be affectionate or critical, while burlesque is always mocking
- caricature
focuses on exaggerating specific features rather than imitating a whole style or manner
- mock
broader and less specific; does not imply the formal technique of imitation
- respect
to treat someone or something with sincere admiration, without mockery
文法句型
burlesque + [someone/something]
用法筆記
Less common than 'parody' or 'mock' in everyday speech. Most frequently encountered in literary criticism and performance reviews. The object is typically a style, genre, performance, or public figure — not an abstract concept.