Reading Theme:
Comic Definition, Examples, and Usage Tips (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：humorous (comic)
comic
/ˈkɑːmɪk/
adj.
Describes something that is funny and makes people laugh.
humorous
➕
/ˈhjuːmərəs/
adj.
Describing something that is intended to provoke laughter or amusement.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Greek 'komikos' (comedy), from 'komos' (revel).
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a comedian on stage with a microphone (COMIC = COmedian + MIC).
📖 Example
The actor's comic performance had the entire audience laughing out loud.
The actor's humorous performance had the entire audience laughing out loud.
🔗 Collocations
comic relief – A humorous scene or character inserted into a serious dramatic work to lighten the mood.
comic timing – The skill of delivering jokes or actions at the most effective moment for maximum laughter.
comic genius – An exceptionally talented comedian or creator of humorous material.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word originates from ancient Greek 'komos', a festive procession with singing and dancing. In modern culture, 'comic' branches into two main uses: describing something humorous, and referring to sequential art narratives known as comic books or graphic novels.
Meaning 2：comic book (comic)
comic
/ˈkɑːmɪk/
adj.
A magazine or book that tells a story through a series of pictures and speech bubbles.
comic book
➕
/ˈkɑːmɪk bʊk/
adj.
A publication (magazine or book) that tells a story through a series of sequential panels with illustrations and speech bubbles.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
As a child, he spent all his pocket money collecting his favorite superhero comics.
As a child, he spent all his pocket money collecting his favorite superhero comic books.
🔗 Collocations
comic strip – A short sequence of comic panels, usually appearing in newspapers.
comic convention – A large gathering where fans, artists, and publishers celebrate comic books and pop culture.
comic artist – An illustrator who creates the visual content for comic books or strips.
🔄 Synonyms
graphic novel (n.) – A longer, more complex story told in comic format, often bound as a book.
manga (n.) – A style of Japanese comic book or graphic novel, typically read from right to left.
funnies (n.) – Informal term for comic strips or comic sections in newspapers.
🚫 Antonyms
textbook (n.) – A book of information on a subject, lacking illustrations and sequential storytelling.
novel (n.) – A long prose narrative without pictures, relying solely on text.
encyclopedia (n.) – A reference work containing articles on various topics, not narrative or artistic.
Wordbook
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