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Comics: meaning, definitions and examples

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comics

 

[ ˈkɒmɪks ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

art form

Comics are a medium that uses a combination of images and text to convey a narrative or story. They are often serialized and can cover various genres including humor, adventure, horror, and drama. Comics can appear in various formats, such as comic strips, comic books, and graphic novels.

Synonyms

cartoon, comic strip, graphic novel, manga

Examples of usage

  • I love reading comics on the weekend.
  • The comics section in the newspaper is always funny.
  • She draws her own comics about superheroes.
  • He collects vintage comics from the 1980s.

Etymology

The word 'comics' derives from the Greek word 'komikos,' meaning 'comic' or 'humorous.' This tracing of history also includes the Latin 'comicus.' It was first used in the 19th century, primarily to refer to humorous illustrations, but over the years, its meaning has expanded to encompass a variety of illustrated storytelling formats. The first comics as we know them began appearing in serialized newspaper formats in the late 19th century and evolved into comic books in the early 20th century. This transformation included the popularization of superhero comics, which became a dominant genre in the American comic book industry post-World War II. Today, comics represent a diverse and dynamic art form enjoyed across cultures and age groups.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,287, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.