comic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'comic' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to books, magazines, and strips featuring humorous characters and stories. For example: I read comic books when I was a kid.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

TV & Radio

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the comic books Harry Osborn also takes over from Norman as The Green Goblin.

The Guardian - Film

Comic Relief boss Kevin Cahill said: "David has been such a brilliant supporter of Comic Relief for such a long time.

The Guardian

You get annoyed about things in real life and then the tragic thing is that while you are moaning on the awful injustice and suffering of something, something grimly comic will then strike you about it, like a parasite feeding off the misery of the world.

The Guardian

"Sometimes I read that I'm this leftwing comic who just goes on about politics the whole time," he says when we meet in a cafe a couple of days before the gig.

The Guardian

Motion sees Carter as a comic writer who saw the life of the universe as an awful joke, "or rather, awful and a joke".

The Guardian - Books

Kenny was a hugely gifted comic actor, with a curious mixture of vulnerability and self-confidence.

The Guardian

"That's one that haunts me," shivers Garry Trudeau, now celebrating the 25th anniversary of the cartoon strip that 300 American papers have taken from the comic pages to run on the editorial page.

The Guardian

Intriguingly, Frank Sidebottom was never seen in the same room at the same time as the musician and comic Chris Sievey.

The Guardian - Film

Although neither of these films could claim comic greatness, Gerwig attributes her taste for comedy to growing up with the complete set of Fawlty Towers on VHS.

The Guardian - Film

The Ghost in the Shell comic book series, film rights to which were picked up by Dreamworks co-owner Steven Spielberg in 2009, follows cyborg detective Major Motoko Kusanagi, team leader of a futuristic Japanese counterterrorism organisation focused on cyber-crime.

The Guardian - Film

It's been a decade since Schumer became a comic, a decision she says she "actually never made", instead stumbling into the industry after studying theatre at college.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comic" as an adjective, ensure it clearly describes something related to comedy or humor. For example, "comic timing" refers to the skill of delivering lines for maximum comedic effect.

Common error

Avoid using "comic" interchangeably when the context requires "comical" or "comedy." "Comic" refers to the medium or the performer, while "comical" describes the quality of being funny.

Linguistic Context

The word "comic" functions primarily as an adjective to describe something related to comedy or humor, or as a noun referring to a comedian or a comic book. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Film

15%

TV & Radio

10%

Less common in

Books

9%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "comic" functions as both an adjective and a noun, denoting either something related to comedy or a person/medium associated with it. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically correct term. As shown by Ludwig, it's used across various contexts, from films and books to everyday scenarios, with a neutral register suitable for both news and informal conversations. While alternatives like "humorous" or "comedic" exist, "comic" maintains broad applicability. Frequent use in news and media sources also signals common usage, making it a versatile and reliable choice for diverse writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

funny

A more general term for something that causes laughter or amusement, like the adjective form of "comic".

comedic

Specifically related to comedy, a genre intended to evoke laughter, akin to the adjectival use of "comic".

humorous

Focuses on the quality of being funny or amusing, similar to the adjective form of "comic".

amusing

Suggests something that is entertaining and pleasurable, similar to the effect of "comic" content.

risible

Describes something that provokes or deserves laughter, emphasizing the laugh-inducing aspect of "comic".

droll

Describes a dry, whimsical, or subtly humorous quality, a specific type of "comic" effect.

humoristic

Relating to or characterized by humor; slightly more formal than "comic".

laughable

Something that is so absurd or ridiculous as to be funny, an aspect of "comic" situations.

waggish

Describes someone who is fond of making jokes or playing pranks in a "comic" way.

jesting

Engaging in playful or humorous talk, similar to the activity associated with "comic" performance.

FAQs

How can I use "comic" in a sentence?

You can use "comic" as an adjective, like in "The actor had excellent comic timing", or as a noun, referring to a comedian or a comic book, such as "She is a stand-up comic" or "He loves reading comic books".

What's the difference between "comic" and "comical"?

"Comic" can be a noun referring to a comedian or a medium, or an adjective relating to comedy. "Comical" is strictly an adjective describing something funny or amusing.

What can I say instead of "comic" when referring to something funny?

Depending on the context, you could use "humorous", "funny", "comedic", or "amusing".

Is it correct to use "comic" to describe a situation?

Yes, if the situation is inherently related to comedy or humor. For instance, you might say, "The situation had a certain "comic" absurdity."