comedians
Professional funny people
Comedians are performers whose craft is making people laugh, whether through stand-up routines, sketch comedy, improvisation, or comedic acting.
The term applies broadly—from club comics working small rooms to household names filling arenas.
My favorite comedians are the ones who find humor in everyday absurdities.
Someone might be called a comedian outside professional contexts when they're being funny or, sarcastically, when they think they're funnier than they are: Nice try, comedian.
Verbal wit techniques
- punsJokes using sound similarities
- quipsBrief witty remarks
- clevernessMental quickness and skill
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
one-liners · timing · deadpan · dry-humor · bon-mot · aphorism · epigram · sharpness
Uninterrupted solo address
- punchlineHumor's final delivery
- hecklerOne who taunts performers
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- setArrange in position
mic · gig · club · audience · laughter · one-liners · zinger · observational
Exaggerated physical humor
- pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
- clowningPlayful comic behavior
- muggingRobbery with violence
- mimeWordless expressive performer
timing · double-take · buffoonery · pantomime · acrobatic · exaggeration
Satirical imitation
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
- spoofComic exaggerated imitation
mockery · roast · punditry · topical · subversive · send-up · takedown · skewering
One who amuses others
- headlinerTop-billed performer
- emceeCeremony host
- hostOne receiving guests
- monologistSolo theatrical speaker
ventriloquist · impersonator · impressionist · storyteller · raconteur · showman · crowd-pleaser · touring
Acting without forethought
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- troupeTraveling group of performers
- unscriptedNot pre-written
scene · games · quick-thinking · workshop · ensemble · suggestion · callback · heightening
wordplay
Verbal wit techniques
- punsJokes using sound similarities
- quipsBrief witty remarks
- clevernessMental quickness and skill
repartee · one-liners · timing · deadpan · dry-humor · bon-mot · aphorism · epigram · sharpness · quick-witted
monologue
Uninterrupted solo address
set · mic · gig · club · audience · laughter · one-liners · zinger · observational · callback
slapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
mime · timing · double-take · buffoonery · pantomime · acrobatic · exaggeration
parody
Satirical imitation
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
spoof · mockery · roast · punditry · topical · subversive · send-up · takedown · skewering · commentary
entertainer
One who amuses others
monologist · ventriloquist · impersonator · impressionist · storyteller · raconteur · showman · crowd-pleaser · touring · residency
spontaneity
Acting without forethought
unscripted · scene · games · quick-thinking · workshop · ensemble · suggestion · callback · heightening · short-form
- Americanspresidents, senators, governors, generals, authors
- comedyjokes, humor, puns, sarcasm, stand-up
- entertainerssingers, actor, dancers, actress, musicians
- show businessactors, actresses, directors, producers, entertainers
- entertainers in artactors, dancers, musicians, circus performers, film stars
- entertainment workersentertainers, performers, stagehands, film crew, dancers
comediansmourners
Those lamenting a death
elegists · tragedians · eulogists · weepers · grief counselors
comedianseulogists
Deliverers of tribute speeches
preachers · orators · lecturers · news anchors · funeral directors
- stand-up comedianSolo performer delivering jokes
- female comedian
- physical comedianPerformer using bodily humor
- prop comedianPerformer using objects for laughs
- TV comedianPerformer who delivers televised humor
- sketch comediansPerformers of brief comedic scenes