pantomime: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal and Informal (depending on sense)
Quick answer
What does “pantomime” mean?
A traditional British theatrical entertainment for children, performed around Christmas, based on a fairy tale or nursery story, featuring songs, slapstick comedy, and audience participation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional British theatrical entertainment for children, performed around Christmas, based on a fairy tale or nursery story, featuring songs, slapstick comedy, and audience participation.
1. A dramatic entertainment originating in Roman times, in which performers express meaning through gestures without words. 2. Exaggerated or ridiculous behaviour, pretence, or mimicry.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'pantomime' (often shortened to 'panto') primarily refers to the specific Christmas theatrical tradition. In the US, the word is rarely used for this and instead refers primarily to the art of gesture and mime, or to a dumb show.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes family fun, tradition, and camp humour. In the US, it connotes silent performance or, in its negative sense, insincere and exaggerated display.
Frequency
The word is significantly more frequent in UK English due to the cultural institution of the 'panto'.
Grammar
How to Use “pantomime” in a Sentence
[verb] a pantomime (e.g., perform, watch)a pantomime of [noun] (e.g., a pantomime of outrage)in pantomimeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pantomime” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He pantomimed pouring a cup of tea during the silent game.
- The protesters pantomimed the effects of the policy.
American English
- She pantomimed locking her lips and throwing away the key.
- The clown pantomimed being stuck in a box.
adverb
British English
- He reacted pantomimically, clutching his chest and staggering backwards.
American English
- The scene was played pantomimically, with broad gestures and no dialogue.
adjective
British English
- His pantomime reactions were hilarious but completely over-the-top.
- We saw a pantomime horse in the parade.
American English
- The debate was full of pantomime indignation from both sides.
- He gave a pantomime shrug of exaggerated helplessness.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The board meeting descended into pure pantomime, with everyone grandstanding and no decisions made.' (Metaphorical, pejorative)
Academic
'The study examined the evolution of commedia dell'arte into the English pantomime tradition.' (Historical/Theatre Studies)
Everyday
'We're taking the kids to see the Peter Pan pantomime this Saturday.' (UK-specific)
Technical
'The actor used pantomime to convey the object's weight and texture in the silent rehearsal.' (Theatre/Performance)
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pantomime”
- Using 'pantomime' as a direct synonym for 'mime' in all contexts (especially in BrE). / Mispronouncing it as /ˈpæn.toʊ.maɪm/. / Using it as a verb in the UK theatrical sense ('He pantomimed Cinderella' is odd; 'He played the dame in Cinderella' is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While 'mime' (silent gesture) is a component, a British Christmas pantomime is a loud, musical, comedic show with dialogue, audience participation, and specific stock characters.
This tradition, with the 'Pantomime Dame' (a comedic older woman played by a man) and the 'Principal Boy' (a young hero played by a woman), dates back to historical theatre restrictions and adds to the comedic, topsy-turvy nature of the genre.
Yes. When used metaphorically (e.g., 'the pantomime of politics'), it implies something is a ridiculous, exaggerated, and insincere performance.
The specific British Christmas 'panto' tradition is not widespread in the US. Americans use the word more for the art of mime or for describing exaggerated behaviour.
A traditional British theatrical entertainment for children, performed around Christmas, based on a fairy tale or nursery story, featuring songs, slapstick comedy, and audience participation.
Pantomime is usually formal and informal (depending on sense) in register.
Pantomime: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpæn.tə.maɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpæn.t̬ə.maɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a pantomime! (BrE, expressing that a situation is a ridiculous farce)”
- “more pantomime than parliament (BrE, criticising overly theatrical politics)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PANTO (like 'pants') + MIME: Imagine someone in silly, colourful PANTS silently MIMING a story for Christmas.
Conceptual Metaphor
PUBLIC LIFE IS A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE (e.g., 'the political pantomime'); INSINCERE EMOTION IS A MIME ACT (e.g., 'a pantomime of grief').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'pantomime' in standard British English?