punchline
Where laughter begins
A punchline is the final phrase or sentence of a joke that delivers the humor—the part that makes people laugh.
The setup creates expectation; the punchline subverts it.
By extension, any climactic revelation or key point: So what's the punchline here?
Also spelled punch line.
Humorous statement seeking laughter
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- quipBrief, clever remark
- zingerPointed witty remark
- one-linerBrief standalone joke
wisecrack · jest · jape · wit · wordplay · pun · banter · retort
Art of choosing moments
- setupHow something is arranged
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
buildup · reveal · rhythm · cadence · execution · precision · anticipation · performance
Vocal expression of amusement
- guffawBoisterous burst of mirth
- chuckleLow, suppressed laugh
- snickerStifled, scornful laugh
- giggleSoft, silly vocalization
chortle · groan · howl · roar · cackle · applause · crickets
Rotating motion or surprise
- revealMake something visible
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- turnaboutComplete change of direction
subversion · reversal · misdirection · incongruity · absurdity · anticlimax · non-sequitur · bathos
joke
Humorous statement seeking laughter
one-liner · wisecrack · jest · jape · wit · wordplay · pun · banter · retort · riposte
timing
Art of choosing moments
pause · buildup · reveal · rhythm · cadence · execution · precision · anticipation · performance · emphasis
laughter
Vocal expression of amusement
giggle · chortle · groan · howl · roar · cackle · applause · crickets
twist
Rotating motion or surprise
- revealMake something visible
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
turnabout · subversion · reversal · misdirection · incongruity · absurdity · anticlimax · non-sequitur · bathos
stand-up
Solo comedic performance
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- improvUnscripted comedic performance
- comedianProfessional humor performer
monologue · routine · bit · set · shtick · comic · heckler · open-mic · closer · material
- comedy elementswit, gag, satire, irony, sight gag
- comedy termsjokes, puns, wit, sarcasm, irony
- sitcomssitcom, sitcoms, episode, episodic, season
- knock-knockswho's there, boo, lettuce, orange you glad, olive
- cartoon elementssingle panel, caption, sight gag, visual pun, ink drawing
- comedy bitsbit, skit, sketch, gag, shtick
punchlinesetup
How something is arranged
buildup · lead-in · premise · wind-up · straight line
punchlinesetup
How something is arranged
exposition · buildup · anticipation · preamble · introduction