comic relief: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary, Academic, General
Quick answer
What does “comic relief” mean?
A humorous or light-hearted episode or character in an otherwise serious or tragic work, intended to provide temporary emotional respite for the audience.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A humorous or light-hearted episode or character in an otherwise serious or tragic work, intended to provide temporary emotional respite for the audience.
Anything that provides a welcome break from tension, seriousness, or difficulty in a wider situation; a moment of levity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Concept is identically understood.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with the analysis of Shakespearean drama in British educational contexts.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, perhaps marginally higher in UK literary criticism.
Grammar
How to Use “comic relief” in a Sentence
[Subject] provides comic relief in [context].The [character/scene] serves as comic relief.There was some comic relief from [source].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “comic relief” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The scene functions to comic-relieve the preceding tragedy. (Note: highly unconventional, used here for illustration only)
American English
- N/A – not standard verb usage.
adverb
British English
- N/A – not standard adverbial usage.
American English
- N/A – not standard adverbial usage.
adjective
British English
- The porter in *Macbeth* is a classic comic-relief character.
American English
- The film's comic-relief sidekick was hilarious.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might describe a lighthearted moment in a tense negotiation.
Academic
Common in literary, film, and drama studies.
Everyday
Common when discussing books, films, or stressful situations.
Technical
Standard term in narratology and dramaturgy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “comic relief”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “comic relief”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “comic relief”
- Using it to describe something that is just funny, without the contrasting serious context.
- Misspelling as 'comic relieve'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He comic relieved the situation' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be a character, a scene, a line of dialogue, or a brief event that provides humorous contrast.
Yes, metaphorically. People often speak of 'comic relief' in a stressful work meeting or a difficult day.
'Comic relief' specifically requires a backdrop of seriousness or tension. Something can be funny without being 'comic relief' if there is no contrasting serious context.
It gives the audience an emotional break, prevents exhaustion, and can often heighten the return to tragedy by contrast. It can also provide thematic commentary.
A humorous or light-hearted episode or character in an otherwise serious or tragic work, intended to provide temporary emotional respite for the audience.
Comic relief is usually formal, literary, academic, general in register.
Comic relief: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒmɪk rɪˈliːf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːmɪk rɪˈliːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A laugh in the midst of tears.”
- “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMIC book character appearing in a RELIEF map of a serious drama, providing a fun, raised area in a flat landscape of tension.
Conceptual Metaphor
SERIOUSNESS IS WEIGHT / PRESSURE; HUMOR IS RELEASE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'comic relief' used most precisely?