comedian

noun

co·​me·​di·​an kə-ˈmē-dē-ən How to pronounce comedian (audio)
Synonyms of comediannext
1
archaic
a
: a writer of comedies
b
: an actor who plays comic roles
2
: a comical individual
specifically : a professional entertainer who uses any of various physical or verbal means to be amusing

Synonyms of comedian

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Examples of comedian in a Sentence

You'll like my friend. He's a real comedian. struggled to eke out a living as a comedian in nightclubs
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bellamy will be honored alongside 15 Chicago comedians whose careers helped shape the city’s comedy legacy. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026 In his current act, the Syrian American comedian Ismael Loutfi has been telling a joke about white people who use the word inshallah. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Under Binface’s black cape, rubbish bin and ample body armor that looks straight out of a low-budget sci-fi film, is a middle-aged comedian named Jon Harvey trying to keep his cool during a sweaty summer. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 Thomas performed the bit, committed to it and was persuaded by his producer and fellow comedian, Tim Robinson, to keep the joke in the final cut. — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for comedian

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of comedian was in 1580

Rhymes for comedian

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Browse Nearby Words

comedial
comedian
comedic
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Cite this Entry

“Comedian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comedian. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

comedian

noun
co·​me·​di·​an kə-ˈmēd-ē-ən How to pronounce comedian (audio)
1
: an actor who plays in comedy
2
: a comical individual
especially : a humorous professional entertainer

More from Merriam-Webster on comedian

Nglish: Translation of comedian for Spanish Speakers

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