comedian
noun
co·me·di·an
kə-ˈmē-dē-ən 
1
2
: a comical individual
specifically
: a professional entertainer who uses any of various physical or verbal means to be amusing
Synonyms
Examples of comedian in a Sentence
You'll like my friend. He's a real comedian.
struggled to eke out a living as a comedian in nightclubs
Recent Examples on the Web
The actress and comedian returned to Studio 8H on April 6, marking her fifth time hosting the long-running sketch comedy show.
—
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2024
The actress and comedian was a cast member on the show from 2005 to 2012.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Pauly Shore and his club the Comedy Store are being sued by a comedian who claims he was assaulted by the club’s security in December.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Alex Edelman is a comedian and writer based in New York City.
—Alex Edelman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
But being a comedian, being in the field, every day is April Fools’ Day!
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
The actress and comedian opens up about her salaries for Bridesmaids and the Pitch Perfect trilogy.
—Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
The actress and comedian, who served as an SNL cast member from 2005 to 2012, last hosted the show in December 2020, but often pops in for cameo appearances.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2024
Celebrities such as comedian Paul Rodriguez, singer Tito Nieves and record label owner Ralph Mercado signed on as investors to open the 400-capacity room, within walking distance of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2024
The actress and comedian was a cast member on the show from 2005 to 2012.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Pauly Shore and his club the Comedy Store are being sued by a comedian who claims he was assaulted by the club’s security in December.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Alex Edelman is a comedian and writer based in New York City.
—Alex Edelman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
But being a comedian, being in the field, every day is April Fools’ Day!
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
The actress and comedian opens up about her salaries for Bridesmaids and the Pitch Perfect trilogy.
—Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
The actress and comedian, who served as an SNL cast member from 2005 to 2012, last hosted the show in December 2020, but often pops in for cameo appearances.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2024
Celebrities such as comedian Paul Rodriguez, singer Tito Nieves and record label owner Ralph Mercado signed on as investors to open the 400-capacity room, within walking distance of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comedian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near comedian
Cite this Entry
“Comedian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comedian. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
comedian
noun
co·me·di·an
kə-ˈmēd-ē-ən
1
: an actor who plays in comedy
2
: a comical individual
especially
: a humorous professional entertainer
More from Merriam-Webster on comedian
Nglish: Translation of comedian for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of comedian for Arabic Speakers
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