comedian

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "comedian" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who performs comedy in any form, such as a stand-up comedian, improvisational comedian, or sketch comedian. For example: "John is an extremely talented comedian who always has the audience in hysterics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, as a private company – just like a comedian mulling over a rape joke, or a troll looking for a target for his anger – it could choose not to.

The Guardian

Joan Rivers - the questionnaire: way back in 1997, the Guardian's Weekend magazine quizzed the comedian on the Royal Family, Marlon Brando and silicone.

The Guardian

In the last month alone, we've discussed whether a comedian called Dapper Laughs should have had his ITV2 show cancelled once everyone realised his career was based entirely on witless sexism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Liam Williams, comedian Depending on what part of the country I was in, I'd vote to try and stop Ukip getting a seat.

The Guardian

Robin Ince, comedian Well, that reminds me that success is not a meritocracy, that a degree of randomness is involved and that I'm lucky doing standup at a point where it became this thing that people were into.

The Guardian

Joined by the comedian Ruby Wax, now the poster girl for the benefits of mindfulness to overcome mental health problems, politicians including former ministers Lord Haworth and Jim Fitzpatrick straightened their spines and focused on their breath at the launch of an all party group to explore the potential for mindfulness in health, education, criminal justice.

The Guardian

The Age was ridiculed on Thursday on social media after publishing a photo of the comedian Nazeem Hussain to point to a story about its own columnist Waleed Aly.

The Guardian

On the phone from New York, during a brief break from shooting series three of the show – "Standing here in a robe, drinking a cold, disgusting coffee with a gauze wrapped around me because we're doing a parody of Human Centipede," she says by way of scene-setting – the comedian agrees that there's an element of release in acting out these grotesques.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Cosby's attorney, Martin D Singer, said Friday the comedian was in New York the night Goins claims she was accosted.

The Guardian

The actor, who is to star opposite the US comedian Tina Fey in the film Admission, added that he is also suspicious of commercial stage schools.

The Guardian

The upper reaches of the list, published on Monday, is dominated by the heads of US technology companies, but also features actor and comedian Lenny Henry and singer Taylor Swift in its top 10.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific terms like "stand-up comedian" or "comic actor" when the context requires greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "comedian" as a catch-all term for anyone who is simply funny. Reserve it for individuals who actively and professionally engage in comedic performance or writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "comedian" functions primarily as a noun, identifying a person whose profession is to provide amusement, often by telling jokes or performing in a humorous manner. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "comedian" is a grammatically correct and very common noun, primarily used in a neutral register to identify individuals who professionally create or perform comedy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammar rules. While versatile, it's important to consider context and choose more specific terms like "stand-up comic" or "comic actor" when precision is needed. The primary context for its use is in News & Media. Avoid using "comedian" too broadly for anyone who is simply funny; reserve it for professionals. In summary, "comedian" is a straightforward and widely accepted term within the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Stand-up comic

More specific, focusing on comedians who perform live stand-up routines.

Humorist

Broader term, encompassing writers and performers who use humor.

Comic actor

Specifically refers to actors who play comedic roles.

Funny person

Informal and general term for someone who is amusing.

Wit

Refers to someone known for their clever and amusing remarks.

Jester

An archaic term for a professional fool or entertainer.

Joker

Someone who is always making jokes or playing pranks.

Entertainer

A broad term, but relevant when the primary function is comedy.

Funny performer

Emphasizes the performance aspect of comedy.

Satirist

Someone who uses humor to critique social or political issues.

FAQs

How to use "comedian" in a sentence?

You can use "comedian" to describe someone who professionally performs comedy, such as in the sentence, "The "comedian" had the audience roaring with laughter".

What can I say instead of "comedian"?

You can use alternatives like "humorist", "stand-up comic", or "comic actor" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "comedian" or "comic"?

"Comedian" refers specifically to a person who performs comedy. "Comic" can be an adjective describing something funny, or a noun referring to a comic book or strip.

What's the difference between a "comedian" and a "satirist"?

A "comedian" aims to entertain through humor, while a "satirist" uses humor to critique social or political issues. A comedian might not always be a satirist, and vice versa.