comedian
Stage laugh performer
A comedian is someone who performs comedy—telling jokes, doing impressions, or otherwise trying to make audiences laugh.
Stand-up comedians work alone on stage with a microphone.
The word also applies more broadly to anyone who habitually cracks jokes: He's the comedian of the family.
In older usage, comedian meant any comic actor, especially in theater.
Exaggerated physical humor
- sitcomEpisodic TV comedy series
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- standupSolo comedic performance
- roastDry-heat cooking method
mockumentary · dramedy · physical · blue · clean · alternative · surreal · absurdist
Showing mental quickness
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- punsJokes using sound similarities
- quipsBrief witty remarks
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
dry · deadpan · droll · sardonic · self-deprecating · observational · timing · rapport
Portable audio input
- stageRaised performance platform
- punchlineHumor's final delivery
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- setArrange in position
timing · delivery · heckler · club · gig · one-liners · observational · bit
One who amuses others
- stageRaised performance platform
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- cabaretLive entertainment venue
vaudeville · variety · revue · showmanship · charisma · presence · tour · festival
Satirical imitation
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
- spoofComic exaggerated imitation
mockery · caricature · social commentary · critique · skewering · ridicule · political · topical
Acting without forethought
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- quick-wittedFast at thinking
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
troupe · audience · participation · scene · games · suggestion · sketch · workshop
slapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
roast · mockumentary · dramedy · physical · blue · clean · alternative · surreal · absurdist · dark
clever
Showing mental quickness
banter · dry · deadpan · droll · sardonic · self-deprecating · observational · timing · rapport · raconteur
mic
Portable audio input
set · timing · delivery · heckler · club · gig · one-liners · observational · bit · persona
entertainer
One who amuses others
- stageRaised performance platform
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
cabaret · vaudeville · variety · revue · showmanship · charisma · presence · tour · festival · late-night
parody
Satirical imitation
spoof · mockery · caricature · social commentary · critique · skewering · ridicule · political · topical · punditry
spontaneity
Acting without forethought
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- quick-wittedFast at thinking
ensemble · troupe · audience · participation · scene · games · suggestion · sketch · workshop · repartee
guffaw
Boisterous burst of mirth
cackle · howl · roar · belly laugh · chortle · crack-up · hilarity · hysterics · tears · applause
- celebritiesmovie stars, A-lister, pop stars, superstar, celebrity
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- comediansstand-up, funnyman, funny man, humorist, roaster
- creativesartist, artists, painter, painters, illustrators
- entertainment jobsactor, actress, producer, director, singer
- party entertainmentDJ, live band, live music, karaoke, dance floor
comediantragedian
Actor of serious drama
dramatic actor · method actor · Shakespearean actor · character actor · thespian
comediangrinch
Pleasure-ruining curmudgeon
killjoy · wet blanket · party pooper · buzzkill · spoilsport
- stand-up comedianSolo performer delivering jokes
- romantic comediesHumorous films about love
- comedic timingHumor's rhythmic delivery
- comedic geniusExceptionally gifted at humor
- physical comediesFilms using bodily humor
- black comediesHumor from grim subjects
comedic, comedies, comedians, comedienne, comedically, comediennes