What does comic mean?
'Comic' functions as both adjective and noun in modern English. As an adjective, it describes something that causes laughter or is intended to amuse — a comic scene, comic timing, or comic relief in a serious drama. As a noun, it most often means either a performer who entertains through humour (a stand-up comic) or an illustrated publication: a comic book or comic strip that tells stories through sequenced drawings with dialogue. The word derives from the Greek 'kōmōidia', the root of 'comedy', which originally referred to the festive revel-songs of ancient Greek drama, giving it deep historical resonance. In literary criticism, the term also denotes one of the classical dramatic modes, standing alongside tragedy as the genre concerned with lighter, happier resolutions. Whether describing a joke, a performer, or a graphic novel, 'comic' remains central to how English speakers talk about humour and visual storytelling alike.
Causing or intended to cause laughter; humorous.
"The play's comic subplot gave audiences a welcome break from its darker themes."
Often used attributively before nouns: comic relief, comic timing, comic opera. Distinguish from 'comical', which frequently implies unintentional absurdity.
A comedian, especially one who performs stand-up; or a magazine/book containing sequential illustrated stories (a comic book).
"She's one of the sharpest comics working the club circuit today."
The plural 'comics' commonly refers collectively to the art form of comic books and strips, or to the comic section of a newspaper ('the funny pages').
"He spent the afternoon browsing the shop's shelves of vintage comics."
The word 'comic' traces back to the Greek 'kōmōidia' — literally 'revel song' — so every comic book you've read carries echoes of ancient drunken festivals.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of comic
'Comic' comes from the Latin 'comicus', borrowed from the Greek 'kōmikos', which derives from 'kōmōidia' (comedy) — literally a 'revel song' associated with the kōmos, a festive procession in ancient Greece. The word entered English in the early modern period, first as an adjective relating to comedy as a dramatic form before broadening to mean simply 'amusing'. The noun senses — a comedian and an illustrated story magazine — developed later, with the comics sense flourishing from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries onward.
Related word forms
How comic is actually used
'Comic' as an adjective often describes intentional humour (a comic role, comic timing), while 'comical' more often suggests unintentionally absurd or laughable qualities. As a noun, 'comic' for a comedian is common in entertainment contexts ('a stand-up comic'), and 'the comics' refers to the comic-strip section of a newspaper, especially in American English.
Easily confused with comic
'Cosmic' relates to the universe or cosmos, while 'comic' relates to humour — the two look similar but are entirely unrelated in meaning.
'Comical' is an adjective meaning amusing or laughable, whereas 'comic' can also be a noun referring to a comedian or an illustrated magazine.