deadpan
/ˈdedpæn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdedpæn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈded-ˌpan/ (ame, mw) · /ˈded.pæn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈded.pæn/ (ame, ipa)
deadpan — adjective
- deadpanpositive
- more deadpancomparative
- most deadpansuperlative
1. describing a way of speaking or performing where you keep your face blank and yo
describing a way of speaking or performing where you keep your face blank and your voice flat, especially when saying things that are actually funny — the humour comes from how serious you stay
Jiro's deadpan delivery of the final punchline made the whole room burst out laughing.
collocation: deadpan delivery
Emilia kept a deadpan expression through her entire comedy routine, never cracking a smile.
Beatriz was completely deadpan as she suggested 'boiled napkins' for dessert, and the new waiter froze in confusion.
Tariq read out the ridiculous memo in a deadpan voice, and his office colleagues snorted their coffee.
Vikram has a deadpan sense of humour — his face never gives away the joke.
- straight-faced
the closest synonym, but can describe any situation where someone suppresses a smile, not only comedic performance
- poker-faced
implies total blankness, often in a competitive or serious context, without the comedic connotation
- dry
describes understated, matter-of-fact humour that may include subtle cues like a raised eyebrow; deadpan is more extreme in its blankness
- expressionless
neutral term for showing no feeling; lacks the deliberate, performative quality that deadpan carries
用法筆記
Frequently modifies words like 'delivery,' 'humour,' 'expression,' or 'voice.' The blankness is deliberate and typically comic — unlike simply being unexpressive in a serious situation.
常見錯誤
deadpan — verb
- deadpanpresent simple I / you / we / they
- deadpans3rd person singular
- deadpaning-ing form
- deadpanedpast simple
1. to say something funny while keeping your face and voice completely serious, as
to say something funny while keeping your face and voice completely serious, as if you meant every word
Jiro deadpanned that the office was moving to a desert island, and two interns believed him.
pattern: deadpan + that-clause
Emilia deadpanned her wedding toast, leaving half the guests unsure whether to laugh.
'We're naming the baby after the cat,' Vikram deadpanned, watching his mother's jaw drop.
The teacher deadpanned a new rule: students who failed would each receive a 'lifetime study pass.'
Kwame deadpanned an apology for being 'only fifteen minutes late' after he arrived two hours early.
文法句型
deadpan + that-clause
deadpan + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always takes a direct object — you deadpan a joke, a line, or a that-clause. The humour comes from the gap between the flat delivery and what is actually being said.
deadpan — adverb
1. in a way that shows no feeling on your face or in your voice, especially when be
in a way that shows no feeling on your face or in your voice, especially when being funny
Jiro delivered the bad news deadpan — only his wife caught the tiny twitch in his eye.
Emilia asked, completely deadpan, whether the boss's new tie had been coloured by a toddler.
adverb phrase: completely deadpan
Vikram stared deadpan at the camera and announced he was running for president of the moon.
The nurse told the boy, deadpan, that the needle would feel just like a feather tickle.
Halima faced the furious customer deadpan, then slid a free dessert across the counter.
- flatly
similarly describes emotionless speech, but without the comedic implication that deadpan carries
用法筆記
Usually modifies speech verbs: say, ask, reply, deliver, announce. Often set off by commas when it interrupts the sentence flow.
deadpan — noun
1. a style of speaking or performing where you keep a completely serious face, espe
a style of speaking or performing where you keep a completely serious face, especially while saying things that are funny — the humour comes from the contrast between what you say and how you look
Jiro's deadpan is so convincing that strangers often take his wildest stories at face value.
The comedian built her entire career on a perfect deadpan that never once cracked during a show.
collocation: perfect deadpan
Vikram answered the ridiculous question with a deadpan that made it sound perfectly reasonable.
The waiter had a legendary deadpan — he could list imaginary specials without ever blinking.
Camila mastered the deadpan so well that even close friends could not tell when she was joking.
用法筆記
Often paired with adjectives like 'perfect,' 'legendary,' or 'convincing.' Describes a comedic technique or style, not a single facial expression. Distinguish from noun sense 2, which refers to a blank face itself rather than a performance style.
2. a face that shows absolutely no feeling — not sad, happy, angry, or anything els
a face that shows absolutely no feeling — not sad, happy, angry, or anything else
The accused man sat through the entire trial with a deadpan that unnerved everyone in the courtroom.
Halima stared at her brother's outrageous outfit with a deadpan for ten full seconds before speaking.
The poker champion kept a deadpan that gave away nothing, even when he held a perfect hand.
Dmitri kept a deadpan through the surprise party, though he was secretly pleased.
Fatima walked into the room with a deadpan that made everyone stop and wonder what had happened.
- poker face
very close synonym, but 'poker face' is more strongly associated with hiding emotions during a game or negotiation
用法筆記
Refers to a physical facial expression (or lack of one). Unlike noun sense 1, this is not necessarily linked to comedy or performance — it can describe anyone showing no emotion, regardless of context.