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Comical Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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comical

[kəˈmɪkəl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

funny

Relating to or characterized by comedy; amusing or entertaining.

Synonyms

amusing, entertaining, funny.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
comical

Best used for situations or events that are strange or absurd, often in a way that makes people laugh unintentionally.

  • His attempt to fix the broken chair was quite comical.
  • The movie's plot was so unrealistic, it was almost comical.
funny

Commonly used to describe something that makes people laugh out loud. It's more casual and straightforward than other terms.

  • That joke you told at dinner was really funny!
  • He is known for his funny impressions of celebrities.
amusing

Suitable for light-hearted situations that bring a smile or mild laughter. It's often used in a more gentle or polite way.

  • She found his stories about traveling very amusing.
  • The children's play was amusing and kept the audience entertained.
entertaining

Applied to events or activities that capture attention and keep people engaged, providing enjoyment for a period of time.

  • The magician's show was really entertaining.
  • Reading her book on a rainy day was entertaining and made the time fly by.

Examples of usage

  • He has a comical way of telling stories.
  • The movie was a comical take on the classic fairy tale.
  • She couldn't help but laugh at his comical antics.
Context #2 | Adjective

ridiculous

Causing laughter because of absurdity; laughable or ludicrous.

Synonyms

laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
comical

Used to describe something funny or amusing in a light-hearted way.

  • The play was full of comical characters that kept the audience laughing
  • Her comical expressions always brighten my day
ridiculous

Used to highlight that something deserves mockery because it is highly unreasonable or silly; often carries a negative connotation.

  • Your argument is completely ridiculous
  • The price they're asking for this old car is ridiculous
laughable

Used to describe something so absurd it's worthy only of being laughed at; can carry a slightly negative connotation.

  • His excuse was so weak it was almost laughable
  • The idea of him being a great singer is laughable
ludicrous

Describes something utterly ridiculous or absurd, typically used to emphasize how unreasonable or nonsensical something is.

  • The proposal was ludicrous and not even worth considering
  • It's ludicrous to think you could finish that project in one day

Examples of usage

  • The situation was so comical that everyone burst out laughing.
  • His comical outfit drew attention wherever he went.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Entertainment

  • Many famous films and TV shows are labeled as comical, often using slapstick comedy to elicit laughter.
  • Stand-up comedy, where performers tell funny stories and jokes, is a popular comical form of entertainment worldwide.

Literature

  • Comical characters often appear in literature to add humor, such as the whimsical characters in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'.
  • Satirical works, like those by Mark Twain, use comical elements to critique society.

Psychology

  • Humor, often comical in nature, is known to reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness.
  • The brain responds to comedic stimuli by releasing endorphins, reinforcing the enjoyment of comical experiences.

Pop Culture

  • The popularity of webcomics illustrates how comical storytelling can engage audiences on digital platforms.
  • Characters like the comical 'SpongeBob SquarePants' have defined modern entertainment for children, becoming cultural icons.

Origin of 'comical'

Main points about word origin

  • Derived from the Greek word 'komikos', which referred to comedy or humorous performance.
  • First used in English around the late 16th century, indicating anything related to comedy or humor.

The word 'comical' originated from the Latin word 'comicus', which meant 'pertaining to comedy'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. Over time, 'comical' has been used to describe things that are funny, amusing, or absurd, often evoking laughter or a sense of amusement in people.

See also: comically.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,410, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.