seriocomic

[ seer-ee-oh-kom-ik ]

adjective
  1. partly serious and partly comic: a seriocomic play.

Origin of seriocomic

1
First recorded in 1775–85; seri(ous) + -o- + comic
  • Sometimes se·ri·o·com·i·cal .

Other words from seriocomic

  • se·ri·o·com·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby seriocomic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use seriocomic in a sentence

  • The seriocomic periodical Punch, I remember, made a happy use of it in the political cartoon.

    The War of the Worlds | H. G. Wells
  • And so in grim silence he prepared for his farewell appearance in that great seriocomic tragedy of life called "Making Good."

    Garrison's Finish | W. B. M. Ferguson
  • The fateful evening came, and the seriocomic celebration was long delayed by the non-appearance of the eldest son.

  • He never assumed this seriocomic tone when alone with Mrs. Pontellier.

British Dictionary definitions for seriocomic

seriocomic

less commonly seriocomical

/ (ˌsɪərɪəʊˈkɒmɪk) /


adjective
  1. mixing serious and comic elements

Derived forms of seriocomic

  • seriocomically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012