deadpan
deadpan Lexical Profile
deadpan Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Impassive or expressionless in facial demeanor or manner of speech, typically to heighten the comedic effect of a humorous or ironic remark.
"The comedian delivered the absurd punchline with a completely deadpan expression."
• verb
To say something or perform in an impassive, expressionless, or matter-of-fact manner, typically for humorous or ironic effect.
""I suppose the dog ate the spreadsheet too," the manager deadpanned during the morning meeting."
• noun
An impassive or expressionless facial demeanor or manner of delivery, especially when used for comedic effect.
"His mastery of the deadpan made him one of the most distinctive comic actors of the silent film era."
• adverb
In an impassive, expressionless, or matter-of-fact manner.
"She stared deadpan at the audience while waiting for the laughter to subside."
• Rhymes for deadpan
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in 1920s American theatrical slang from "dead" (meaning expressionless) and "pan" (a slang term for a person's face).