lampoon
C1Formal, Literary, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A harsh, satirical work that publicly ridicules or criticizes a person, group, institution, or policy.
To subject someone or something to such ridicule, especially in a written or published form; the act of writing or creating a lampoon.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a deliberate, often malicious, intention to mock through exaggeration and caricature. Distinguished from parody by its more aggressive, personal, and critical nature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Both noun and verb forms are standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Both carry strong connotations of sharp, public criticism. Slightly more literary/archaic feel in everyday use.
Frequency
Low-to-mid frequency in both, more common in written journalism, political commentary, and literary criticism than in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
lampoon [SOMETHING/SOMEONE]be lampooned for [DOING SOMETHING]lampoon [SOMEONE] as [SOMETHING]a lampoon of [SOMETHING/SOMEONE]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a vehicle for lampoon”
- “the lampoon's sting”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might be used in commentary on corporate culture or a CEO's public image.
Academic
Used in literary, media, and cultural studies to analyze satire.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation; used by those discussing politics, media, or the arts.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The magazine lampooned the Prime Minister's handling of the crisis.
- He was mercilessly lampooned in the weeklies for his fashion choices.
American English
- The late-night show lampooned the candidate's debate performance.
- The film lampoons corporate culture in Silicon Valley.
adverb
British English
- N/A - Extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- N/A - Extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- He had a lampoon style that made him feared in political circles.
- The article was more lampoon than analysis.
American English
- The sketch was pure lampoon humor.
- She wrote with a lampoon wit.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cartoon was a funny lampoon of the mayor.
- Some people don't like to be lampooned on television.
- The journalist's new book is a vicious lampoon of the tech industry's elite.
- His policies were frequently lampooned in the editorial pages.
- The 18th-century poet was famed for his brilliant, if cruel, lampoons of London society.
- The play doesn't just criticize the government; it lampoons the entire political class as hypocritical and inept.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'lamp' shining a harsh, revealing light on someone's flaws, and 'pooh' as a sound of derision. A lampoon shines a critical light with mockery.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS A WEAPON (to skewer, to savage); PUBLIC DISGRACE IS A PERFORMANCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a direct equivalent of 'памфлет' (pamphlet), which can be purely polemical. A lampoon is specifically mockingly satirical.
- Not simply 'шарж' (caricature), which is primarily visual. A lampoon is typically textual and more aggressive.
- Closer to 'злая сатира' or 'язвительная насмешка'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lampoon' for light-hearted parody (it's harsher).
- Confusing it with 'lamp' or 'lagoon'.
- Using it as a synonym for 'criticize' without the essential element of mockery and publication.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of a lampoon?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A parody imitates the style of something for comedic effect, often affectionately. A lampoon is a harsh, aggressive satire aimed at criticizing and ridiculing its target.
Yes, it is commonly used as both a noun ('write a lampoon') and a verb ('to lampoon someone').
It is more formal and literary than words like 'mock' or 'make fun of'. It's common in journalism, political writing, and literary criticism.
It comes from the French 'lampon', from the refrain 'lampons!' meaning 'let us drink!' in 17th-century drinking songs, which were often scurrilous or mocking.
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