sitcom

IPA/ˈsɪtkɒm/
KK[sˈɪtkˌɑm]IPA/ˈsɪtkɑːm/

sitcom — noun

  • sitcomsingular
  • sitcomsplural

1. A television or radio programme that tells a new funny story in each episode, al

1.nounB1
Definition

A television or radio programme that tells a new funny story in each episode, always using the same familiar group of characters in ordinary situations.

Example

Every Thursday after dinner, Jason watches his favourite sitcom on the sofa.

watch + sitcom as direct object

The new sitcom on Channel 5 follows Quan, a young chef in a busy restaurant.

follows + character (cast-introduction format)

Common collocations
  • popular sitcom
  • old sitcom
  • favourite sitcom
  • new sitcom
  • watch a sitcom
  • write a sitcom
  • star in a sitcom
  • sitcom character
  • sitcom episode
  • sitcom audience
Synonyms
  • situation comedy

    the full, more formal version of the same concept

  • comedy series

    broader term that includes sitcoms and other humorous shows

  • TV comedy

    very broad, covering any humorous television programme

Antonyms
  • drama

    a TV genre focused on serious emotions and conflicts

Grammar Patterns

a/an [adjective] sitcom

sitcom about [topic]

sitcom on [channel]

Usage Note

The full form 'situation comedy' is mostly used in formal writing or academic contexts; in everyday speech, 'sitcom' is the standard term.

Common Mistakes

I am watching a sitcom about a war with very sad scenes.
I am watching a drama about a war with very sad scenes.
sitcoms are comedy shows, not serious dramas.
This sitcom has one long story that continues for months.
This sitcom has a new story in every episode, but the same characters appear each week.
sitcom plots usually finish within a single episode.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Sitcom (short for situation comedy) is the everyday word for a TV or radio series with the same cast in ongoing everyday situations, where each episode tells its own funny story. 'Situation comedy' means the same format but sounds more formal and is used in analytical writing about television. 'Comedy series' is a wider category that includes sitcoms, sketch shows, and dramedies. A 'sketch show' is different — it has new characters and settings for each short sketch, with no continuing cast. 'TV comedy' is the broadest term, covering all humorous television programmes. For example, Friends is a sitcom, Saturday Night Live is a sketch show, and The Office is a sitcom that could also be called a comedy series.

sitcom ↗situation comedy ↗comedy seriessketch showTV comedy

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • in a sitcom
  • on a sitcom
  • star in a sitcom

Prepositions

Etymology

English (blend of 'situation' from French/Latin and 'comedy' from Greek/Latin)

Sitcom is a blend (portmanteau) of the words 'situation' and 'comedy', formed in the mid-20th century as television became a popular medium. The full name 'situation comedy' described the new format of showing the same characters in humorous everyday scenarios week after week. The shortened form 'sitcom' first appeared in print in the 1950s and quickly became the standard term.