Meaning & use
comic relief
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Meanings
noununcountableliterarytechnical
A humorous character, scene, or dialogue in a serious play or story that provides temporary relief from tension.
Grammar: Often used with 'the' or as a fixed phrase: 'the comic relief in the play'.
Patterns
- comic relief in something
- provide comic relief
- a moment of comic relief
The gravediggers in Hamlet are a famous example of comic relief.
The director added a bumbling sidekick for comic relief.
noununcountableinformal
A humorous person or thing that makes a difficult situation less serious.
Grammar: Used in general contexts, often after 'as' or 'for': 'serve as comic relief'.
Patterns
- serve as comic relief
- be comic relief
- provide comic relief
My little brother was comic relief during the long car trip.
The funny video provided some comic relief after a stressful day.
Common combinations
- moment of comic relief
- The play needed a moment of comic relief after the intense scene.
- provide comic relief
- The clown provided comic relief at the children's party.
- serve as comic relief
- His jokes served as comic relief during the meeting.
Synonyms and how they differ
- humor
- A general term for funny content; comic relief specifically breaks tension in a serious work.
- levity
- More formal; refers to a lighthearted attitude, not necessarily a character or scene.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: comic relief or comic strip?
comic relief vs comic strip
A series of drawings telling a story, not a humorous break in a serious work.
Practice
In Shakespeare's tragedies, a clown or fool often provides _____ to ease the tension.
Choose one answer.
'Comic relief' is the literary term for a humorous break in a serious work. 'Comic strip' and 'comic book' refer to formats of comics, and 'comic timing' is the ability to deliver jokes well—none fit the context of easing tension in a play.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “comic relief”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.