Slapstick
noun
noun ·2 syllables ·Moderate ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A style of humor focusing on physical comedy, such as slipping on a banana peel, and with foolish characters who get into humiliating situations. uncountable
- 2 acoustic device consisting of two paddles hinged together; used by an actor to make a loud noise without inflicting injury when striking someone wordnet
- 3 A pair of sticks attached at one end and used to create a slapping sound effect, used especially in slapstick comedy; a type of clapper. countable
- 4 a boisterous comedy with chases and collisions and practical jokes wordnet
Adjective
- 1 characterized by horseplay and physical action wordnet
Example
More examples"Slapstick comedy is the lowest form of humor."
Etymology
From slap + stick, calque of Italian batacchio. The pair of sticks was used by the comic character Harlequin in the commedia dell'arte.