Comedian

/kəˈmiːdiən/

nounBeginner📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase1 question

Definitions

1

A performer who tells jokes and performs comedic acts to entertain an audience.

/kəˈmiːdiən/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A person who makes people laugh.

The comedian's act was hilarious.

💡 Simply: A comedian is like a funny storyteller who makes you laugh with jokes and silly acts. Imagine someone like Jim Carrey or Kevin Hart!

👶 For kids: Someone who tells funny jokes and does silly things to make you giggle!

More Examples

2

Many famous comedians started in small clubs.

How It's Used

Entertainment

"The comedian's jokes had the audience in stitches."

Stand-up comedy

"She's a rising star in the stand-up comedy scene."

Idioms & expressions

kill it (as a comedian)

To perform exceptionally well, to receive a great reception from the audience.

"The comedian killed it last night; the crowd went wild!"

From Middle English *comedien, from Old French *comedien, from Latin *comœdianus, from Greek *kōmōidiános, from *kōmōidia ('comedy').

The term has evolved from its classical roots, referring originally to actors in ancient Greek comedies. Its modern usage emphasizes the performer's comedic talent rather than theatrical context.

Memory tip

Think 'comedy' + '-ian' (one who does something)

Word Origin

Original meaning

"kōmōidia (comedy)"

Base: comedy
stand-up comediancomedy showsuccessful comedian

Common misspellings

comediannecomedeian

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written