burlesque
burlesque Lexical Profile
burlesque Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A variety theatrical entertainment typically featuring ribald comedy, music, dance, and striptease.
"The historic theater was once a famous venue for vaudeville and burlesque."
An absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of a literary or dramatic work; a parody.
"His latest novel is a clever burlesque of Victorian gothic romances."
• adjective
Relating to or characteristic of a theatrical burlesque or an absurdly exaggerated parody.
"The actors delivered a burlesque rendition of the solemn historical drama."
• verb
To imitate in an absurd or comically exaggerated way so as to ridicule or parody.
"The comedian burlesqued the pompous mannerisms of the local politicians."
• Rhymes for burlesque
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-17th century from French 'burlesque', which came from Italian 'burlesco', a derivative of 'burla' meaning a jest, joke, or mockery.