Kabuki
//kəˈbuːki// noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A form of Japanese theatre in which elaborately costumed male performers use stylized movements, dances, and songs in order to enact tragedies and comedies. capitalized, often, uncountable
"Despite its self-consciously assumed irreverence toward traditional practices, “Hokaibo” incorporates all the essential elements of classic Kabuki: the all-male company of actors, exaggerated makeup, the stomping dances, the arresting, cross-eyed poses at moments of high drama that are recognized and applauded."
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of kabuki. alt-of, uncountable
- 3 A stylized, pretentious, and often hollow performance; (especially) political posturing. US, broadly, figuratively, uncountable
"The whole "weapons of mass destruction" concern was phony from the start, and the drama about inspections was just kabuki: going through the motions."
Example
More examples"In Kabuki not only talent but also heredity counts."
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese 歌舞伎 (kabuki).
Related phrases
More for "kabuki"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.