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Definition of tragicomedy

tragicomedy

/ˌtrædʒɪˈkɑːmədi/
trag · i · com · e · dy
Adverb:tragicomically
•
Plural:tragicomedies
•
Adjective:tragicomic
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tragicomedy Lexical Profile

tragicomedy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A dramatic, literary, or cinematic genre or work that blends elements of both tragedy and comedy, such as a serious plot resolved with a happy ending or a tragic narrative interspersed with humor.

Example

"Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot is widely studied as a masterpiece of modern tragicomedy."

2

A real-life event, situation, or experience that is simultaneously sorrowful and absurdly humorous.

Example

"The chaotic family reunion quickly turned into a minor tragicomedy of misunderstood apologies and spilled soup."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tragicomedy

• Rhymes for tragicomedy

• Nearby Words

tragic
tragical
tragically
tragicomedy
tragicomic
tragicomical
tragicomically

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Middle French tragicomédie and Italian tragicommedia, ultimately from Late Latin tragicomoedia, a blend coined by the Roman playwright Plautus in the prologue to his play Amphitryon (from tragicus 'tragic' and comoedia 'comedy').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tragicomedy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tragicomedy
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