comedies
comedies — noun
- comediessingular
- comediesesplural
1. A story performed on stage, shown on a screen, or printed in a book that is crea
A story performed on stage, shown on a screen, or printed in a book that is created to make people laugh through amusing characters, dialogue, or situations.
The film festival opened with a French comedy about a clumsy pastry chef.
countable noun: a + [adjective] + comedy
Maja borrows comedies from the library whenever she needs cheering up.
plural noun: borrows comedies
Gabriel's favourite Shakespeare play is a comedy full of mistaken identities.
Stefan watched three short comedies back to back on Saturday evening.
The comedy earned praise for its sharp dialogue and likeable characters.
- comic film
A general term that focuses on the genre label rather than the effect on the audience.
- sitcom
Short for 'situation comedy'; refers specifically to a TV series format, not a one-off film or play.
- farce
A type of comedy with exaggerated, improbable situations and physical humour; often faster-paced.
文法句型
a + [adjective] + comedy
comedies as plural countable
用法筆記
Often used with an adjective describing the type of humour (romantic comedy, black comedy, slapstick comedy).
常見錯誤
2. The amusing quality that exists within a real event, conversation, or set of cir
The amusing quality that exists within a real event, conversation, or set of circumstances, even when the situation was not meant to be funny.
Emma could see the comedy in missing her train and spending the night at the airport.
phrase: see the comedy in [something]
There is a certain comedy in watching two toddlers try to share the same toy.
Ritu found the comedy in her own typing mistake and told the story at dinner.
The comedy of the situation was not lost on Femi, who laughed along with everyone else.
Wren appreciated the comedy in the disastrous camping trip once everyone was safely home.
- seriousness
The quality of being earnest or solemn, with no element of humour.
- tragedy
A disastrous or sorrowful event from which no humour can be drawn.
文法句型
the comedy of [situation]
see/find the comedy in [something]
用法筆記
This sense is uncountable and usually appears in fixed patterns: the comedy of the situation, find/see the comedy in something. It does not refer to a film or play.
常見錯誤
3. A comedy subgenre that gently mocks a community's habits, customs, and social co
A comedy subgenre that gently mocks a community's habits, customs, and social codes by portraying them as laughably silly.
The play is a comedy of manners that pokes gentle fun at wealthy London families.
noun phrase: comedy of manners
Feng enjoys watching social comedies that highlight the absurd side of office culture.
adjective type: social comedy
Brian's new TV series is a comedy about the silly rules of country-club life.
Many classic British comedies gently mock the upper class and their outdated traditions.
- comedy of manners
The most precise term for this sub-genre, specifically focused on the behaviour of a particular social class.
- satire
A broader term that uses humour, exaggeration, or irony to criticise people's stupidity or society's flaws.
- social satire
Emphasises the critical, exposing side of the humour more than 'comedy' does.
- slapstick
A physical, action-based comedy that does not critique social behaviour.
文法句型
a comedy of manners
social comedy + about [group]
用法筆記
Often refers to a distinct literary or dramatic sub-genre known as 'comedy of manners'. The humour arises from the contrast between how people behave and how society expects them to behave.