Deadpan: meaning, definitions and examples

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deadpan

 

[ ˈdɛdˌpæn ]

Context #1

comedy

Deliberately impassive or expressionless, often with a dry or sarcastic sense of humor.

Synonyms

expressionless, impassive, stoic, stone-faced

Examples of usage

  • She delivered the punchline with a deadpan expression.
  • His deadpan delivery always cracks me up.
  • The comedian's deadpan style of humor is so unique.
  • It's hard to tell if he's serious or just being deadpan.
  • I love her deadpan delivery, it's so dead-on.
Context #2

acting

A style of acting or comedy in which the performer delivers lines in a flat, expressionless manner.

Synonyms

blank-faced, dry humor, straight-faced

Examples of usage

  • She is known for her deadpan in comedic roles.
  • His deadpan is perfect for this character.
  • The actor's deadpan adds a unique charm to the performance.

Translations

Translations of the word "deadpan" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cara séria

🇮🇳 गंभीर चेहरा

🇩🇪 ernstes Gesicht

🇮🇩 wajah datar

🇺🇦 серйозний вираз

🇵🇱 poważna twarz

🇯🇵 無表情

🇫🇷 visage impassible

🇪🇸 cara seria

🇹🇷 ciddi yüz

🇰🇷 무표정

🇸🇦 وجه جاد

🇨🇿 vážná tvář

🇸🇰 vážna tvár

🇨🇳 面无表情

🇸🇮 resen obraz

🇮🇸 alvarlegt andlit

🇰🇿 қатал бет

🇬🇪 სერიოზული სახე

🇦🇿 ciddi sifət

🇲🇽 cara seria

Word origin

The term 'deadpan' originated in the United States in the early 20th century and is believed to come from the combination of 'dead' (meaning lifeless or dull) and 'pan' (possibly referring to the face). The word has since evolved to describe a style of delivery in acting and comedy that emphasizes a lack of emotional expression.

See also: dead, deadbeat, deaden, deadline, deadliness, deadlock, deadly, deadness, undead.