What does comics mean?
Comics is the plural form of "comic," most often used to refer collectively to comic strips, comic books, and related publications that combine drawn images with text to tell stories or deliver humour. It also serves as a singular mass noun describing the art form itself — the medium of sequential visual storytelling. The word traces its roots to the Greek "kōmos" via Latin and Italian, ultimately connected to comedy and laughter. In everyday usage, people speak of reading the comics in a newspaper, collecting vintage comics, or studying comics as a scholarly subject. Once dismissed as light entertainment for children, comics have gained substantial cultural and critical respect, with graphic novels winning major literary prizes and university courses devoted to their analysis. The term is neutral in tone and standard across both British and American English, appearing comfortably in casual conversation, journalism, and academic writing alike.
nounComics is a plural noun used chiefly as a plural form referring to comic strips, comic books, or the medium of sequential art combined with text; it also functions as a singular mass noun denoting the art form itself.
- Plural of comic: individual comic strips, books, or issues (e.g. newspaper comics, vintage comics).
- Singular mass noun: the art form or medium of combining drawings and text to tell stories sequentially.
"She spent the afternoon browsing the comics section of the bookshop."
"As a child, he read the Sunday comics every weekend before breakfast."
"Critics now study comics as a legitimate literary and artistic medium."
"Comics" is already a plural noun (plural of "comic") and does not take a further plural ending. It is occasionally treated as a singular mass noun when referring to the art form as a whole.
"He keeps his collection of vintage comics carefully archived."
The word "comics" comes from "comedy," yet the medium has produced some of the most serious and celebrated literature of the modern era — including Pulitzer Prize-winning work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does comics come from?
The word "comics" derives from the adjective "comic," which entered English in the early modern period from Latin "comicus," itself borrowed from Greek "kōmikos," relating to "kōmos" (revelry) and associated with comedy. As illustrated humorous strips grew popular in late 19th-century newspapers, they were called "comics" after their comedic intent, and the plural noun became fixed as the name of the medium. Cognates include "comedy," "comedic," and "comedian," all sharing the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How comics is actually used
"Comics" takes a plural verb when referring to individual items ("these comics are rare") but can take a singular verb when treated as an art form ("comics is a respected medium"). The word carries no strong connotation of register and appears in both casual and academic contexts.
Easily confused with comics
"Comic" (singular) refers to a single comedian, strip, or issue, while "comics" typically denotes the plural or the medium as a whole.