comically

IPA/ˈkɒmɪkli/
KK[kˈɑmɪkəli]IPA/ˈkɑːmɪkli/

comically — adverb

1. Something happens or looks funny, making people laugh — the humour comes from un

1.adverbB1
Definition

Something happens or looks funny, making people laugh — the humour comes from unexpectedness, oddness, or clumsiness rather than deliberate comedy.

Example

Mert tripped comically over the doorstep, sending his papers flying everywhere.

comically + movement verb (trip, stumble, fall)

Hiro wore a comically oversized bow tie that made everyone at the table smile.

comically + adjective (oversized) for exaggeration

Common collocations
  • comically large
  • comically oversized
  • comically small
  • comically serious
  • comically exaggerated
  • trip comically
  • stumble comically
  • fall comically
  • dance comically
  • chase comically
Synonyms
  • humorously

    more about intentional wit or clever humour rather than accidental silliness

  • ridiculously

    stronger, often implies that something is absurd or hard to believe

  • amusingly

    gentler, suggesting mild entertainment rather than laugh-out-loud humour

  • laughably

    suggests that something is so poor or unsuitable that it becomes funny

Antonyms
  • seriously

    opposite tone — in a grave or earnest manner

  • somberly

    with a dark or sad mood, opposite of funniness

Usage Note

Often pairs with adjectives that describe size or intensity (comically large, comically serious) and with verbs of accidental movement (stumble, trip, slip). The humour usually comes from unexpectedness or awkwardness, not from deliberate comedy.

Common Mistakes

He told a comically story.
He told a comic story.
'comically' is an adverb and cannot modify a noun; use the adjective 'comic' or 'comical' before a noun.
The movie was comically.
The movie was comic / comical.
'comically' cannot follow a linking verb to describe the subject; use the adjective form instead.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words describe ways of being funny, but they differ in tone and cause. 'Comically' focuses on the awkward or unexpected nature of the situation — someone tripping over a rug or wearing something absurdly large. 'Humorously' implies deliberate, witty intention, as in a carefully told joke or a clever remark. 'Amusingly' is milder and suggests gentle entertainment rather than laughter, like a child's innocent comment. 'Ridiculously' carries a stronger, often negative sense of absurdity — something so unreasonable it becomes funny. 'Laughably' usually points to poor quality or failure (a laughably bad argument). For example: 'He comically slipped on the banana peel' versus 'He humorously recounted the story of his trip.'

humorouslyamusinglyridiculouslylaughably ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • comically large
  • comically small
  • comically serious
  • comically oversized
  • comically exaggerated
  • trip comically
  • stumble comically
  • fall comically
  • dance comically
  • chase comically

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Formed from 'comic' (from Greek 'komikos', meaning 'relating to comedy' or 'funny') plus the adverb-forming suffix '-ally'. The Greek root 'komos' referred to a merry band of revellers, which gave rise to 'komoidia' (comedy). The sense of 'in a funny or awkward way' developed in the 1600s as English speakers began using 'comical' to describe not just theatre but everyday situations that seemed amusing.