What does parodied mean?
Parodied means that something has been copied or imitated in a humorous, exaggerated, or satirical way. The word is the past tense and past participle of parody and is commonly used for television programmes, performances, speeches, advertisements, and other works that recognizable features of an original. A parody may gently mock a public figure, question a political idea, or make a familiar genre seem absurd. It generally implies a recognizable target and deliberate distortion, whether for comedy or criticism. The form is especially common in the passive construction, as in “the advertisement was widely parodied,” where the original receives attention while the imitation provides the joke. In everyday use, parodied sometimes suggests ridicule more strongly than the broader term imitated, so it is not an appropriate synonym for straightforward copying.
verbTo imitate or reproduce something in a humorous way, often by exaggerating its features for comic or satirical effect.
- To imitate or represent something in a humorous or satirical manner, especially by exaggerating recognizable features.
"The television programme parodied the format of celebrity cooking shows."
"The comedian parodied traditional holiday television specials in her new routine."
"Several campaign speeches were parodied by performers at the annual gala."
A parody can be affectionate or savage: its power comes from copying something familiar while exaggerating it just enough to make us look again.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does parodied come from?
The word belongs to the English family of parody, which was borrowed from French parodie. French parodie in turn comes from Greek parōidia, a compound formed from para-, meaning “beside,” and ōidē, meaning “song.” Greek parōidia originally referred to singing a song alongside another. The modern sense developed through the idea of imitating or counterfeiting a literary or artistic work, sometimes for comic effect.
Related word forms
How parodied is actually used
Parodied is the past tense and past participle of parody. It is usually used for works, performances, or remarks that imitate a recognizable subject in order to comment humorously or satirically on it.