comical

adjective

com·​i·​cal ˈkä-mi-kəl 

1

obsolete : of or relating to comedy

2

: causing laughter especially because of a startlingly or unexpectedly humorous impact

wearing a comical expression

comicality

ˌkä-mi-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

comically

ˈkä-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• antic
• chucklesome
• comedic
• comic
• droll
• farcical
• funny
• hilarious
• humoristic
• humorous
• hysterical
• hysteric
• killing
• laughable
• ludicrous
• ridiculous
• riotous
• risible
• screaming
• sidesplitting
• uproarious

Choose the Right Synonym for comical

laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous, comic, comical mean provoking laughter or mirth.

laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Examples of comical in a Sentence

I must have looked comical in that big hat.

The way they argue is almost comical.

Recent Examples on the Web

On Americans and the presidency; Trump, Hegseth, and NATO; a comical case of wokery; the late Stephan Thernstrom; and more In recent days, I have been reminded of the presidential election of 1992 — particularly the general-election debates. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 3 Feb. 2025

His boisterous persona was more comical than confrontational, a hot-air balloon of strutting pomposity punctured by his family. —Jim McKairnes, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025

The notion of the Pistons beating anybody — literally, anybody — a year ago would have been comical. —Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025

The contrast between these offenses is nearly comical: Washington has run 34 plays to Tampa's 16, has gained 171 yards to Tampa's 86, and with 18:25 of possession, has virtually doubled Tampa in that category. —NBC News, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

comical

adjective

com·​i·​cal ˈkäm-i-kəl 

: laughable, funny

comically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb