parody

1 of 2

noun

par·​o·​dy ˈper-ə-dē 

ˈpa-rə-

plural parodies

1

: a literary or musical work in which the style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule

wrote a hilarious parody of a popular song

2

: a feeble or ridiculous imitation

a cheesy parody of a classic western

parodic

pə-ˈrä-dik 

pa-

adjective

parodistic

ˌper-ə-ˈdi-stik 

ˌpa-rə-

adjective

parody

2 of 2

verb

parodied; parodying

transitive verb

1

: to compose a parody on

parody a poem

2

: to imitate in the manner of a parody

Synonyms

Noun

• burlesque
• caricature
• put-on
• rib
• send-up
• spoof
• takeoff
• travesty

Verb

• burlesque
• caricature
• do
• imitate
• mimic
• mock
• send up
• spoof
• travesty

Choose the Right Synonym for parody

caricature, burlesque, parody, travesty mean a comic or grotesque imitation.

caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment.

a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

parody applies especially to treatment of a trivial or ludicrous subject in the exactly imitated style of a well-known author or work.

a witty parody of a popular novel

travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd.

this production is a travesty of the opera

Examples of parody in a Sentence

Noun

He has a talent for writing parodies.

a writer with a talent for parody

Verb

It was easy to parody the book's fancy language.

She parodied her brother's poetry.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

During the March 8 episode of the late-night comedy sketch series, which saw Lady Gaga pull double duty as the host and the musical guest, Myers, 61, reprised his parody of the Tesla CEO during the show's Cold Open, after doing the same last weekend. —Nicholas Rice, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025

Next up, a Midnight Matinee, one of the digital shorts written by Dan Bulla, seemingly a Stuart Little-style parody where Gaga once again sings, this time at the piano. —Peter White, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025

Verb

The show parodies the life of Jeanie Buss, president of the Los Angeles Lakers. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025

The gum-chewing character with a thick mustache was recently parodied in a Super Bowl ad with Matthew McConaughey. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin parodia, from Greek parōidia, from para- + aidein to sing — more at ode

First Known Use

Noun

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1733, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing parody

• self-parody

Kids Definition

parody

noun

par·​o·​dy

ˈpar-əd-ē

plural parodies

1

: a written or musical work in which the style of an author or work is imitated for comic effect

2

: a poor imitation

parodist

-əd-əst

noun

parody verb