Parody: meaning, definitions and examples

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parody

 

[หˆpรฆrษ™di ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

comedy

A humorous imitation of a person, group of people, or a popular style of writing, music, or art.

Synonyms

mockery, satire, spoof.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
parody

Used when imitating a particular style, artist, or genre in a humorous or exaggerated way, often to entertain or critique.

  • The movie was a hilarious parody of classic spy films
  • The comedian performed a parody of the latest pop song
spoof

Used when creating a humorous imitation of something, often a film or television show, typically for light-hearted entertainment.

  • They produced a clever spoof of the popular sci-fi series
  • The magazine ran a spoof article about life on Mars
satire

Used when using humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize and expose the flaws or shortcomings of people, institutions, or society.

  • The book is a brilliant satire on modern politics
  • The cartoon uses satire to critique celebrity culture
mockery

Used when making fun of something in a way that shows a lack of respect, often to insult or demean. It has a negative connotation.

  • His attempts at singing were a mockery of real talent
  • The politician's speech turned into a mockery of the event

Examples of usage

  • The movie was a hilarious parody of a famous horror film.
  • Her parody of the president's speech had the audience in stitches.
Context #2 | Verb

comedy

To produce a humorously exaggerated imitation of someone or something.

Synonyms

imitate, mimic, mock.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
parody

Use when making a humorous or exaggerated imitation of a work, person, or genre to entertain or critique.

  • The movie was a hilarious parody of a popular action film
  • The comedian's parody of the politician had everyone laughing
mock

Use when making fun of someone in a cruel or unkind way. It carries a negative connotation.

  • The group mocked him for his unusual accent
  • She felt hurt when her friends mocked her idea
imitate

Use when copying someone's actions, appearance, or behaviors, often with the intent to learn or to flatter.

  • Children often imitate their parents
  • She tried to imitate the singing style of her favorite artist
mimic

Often used in a lighter or playful context, it means to closely copy someoneโ€™s behavior, speech, or actions, sometimes for fun or to make a point.

  • He could mimic the teacher's voice perfectly
  • The parrot could mimic human speech

Examples of usage

  • The comedian parodied the politician's mannerisms in his stand-up routine.
  • The show parodies popular TV commercials for comedic effect.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'parody' comes from the Greek word 'parodia,' which means 'a song alongside' or 'burlesque.'
  • It first entered English in the late 16th century, indicating its long-standing presence in literature and performance.
  • Originally, parodies often involved serious poetry or works, using humor to highlight absurdities.

Literature

  • Many famous authors used parody, including Charles Dickens, who mocked societal norms in his works.
  • In poetry, the 'Epicene' style often attempts to combine parody and seriousness, blending humor with moral lessons.
  • A well-known example is 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes, which parodies chivalric romances and societal ideals.

Pop Culture

  • In modern times, shows like 'Saturday Night Live' create parodies of current events and celebrities, making people laugh.
  • Movies like 'Scary Movie' and 'Airplane!' use parody to humorously distort popular film genres.
  • The phenomenon of 'viral parodies' on platforms like TikTok showcases how quickly and broadly humor can spread.

Psychology

  • Parody often serves as a coping mechanism, allowing individuals to express frustration or critique societal norms humorously.
  • Recognizing parody in art and media involves cognitive empathy, as one needs to understand both the original work and the satire.
  • Studies suggest that engaging with parody can enhance critical thinking skills by encouraging viewers to analyze themes beyond the surface.

Performance Arts

  • In theater, parody is often used in comedic acts, adding humor through exaggerated performances.
  • Musical parodies can elevate an ordinary song's humor by changing the lyrics while keeping the original melody.
  • Comedians often use parody to comment on current events, blending entertainment with social critique.

Translations

Translations of the word "parody" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น parรณdia

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅˆเคฐเฅ‹เคกเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Parodie

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ parodi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะฐั€ะพะดั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ parodia

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ‘ใƒญใƒ‡ใ‚ฃใƒผ (parodฤซ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท parodie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ parodia

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท parodi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํŒจ๋Ÿฌ๋”” (paereodi)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุญุงูƒุงุฉ ุณุงุฎุฑุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ parodie

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ parรณdia

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆจกไปฟ (mรณfวŽng)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ parodija

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skopstรฆling

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฟะฐั€ะพะดะธั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒžแƒแƒ แƒแƒ“แƒ˜แƒ (parodia)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ parodiya

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ parodia

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,525, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.