Definition

1. Noun:
   • A genre of comedy: "Black comedy" is a form of comedy that derives humor from subjects typically considered serious, taboo, or tragic, such as death, illness, or disaster. It uses dark or morbid humor to provoke laughter while dealing with uncomfortable or bleak themes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The film is a brilliant black comedy about a funeral director.
  • His latest play is a black comedy that satirizes political corruption during a war.
  • She specializes in writing black comedy that finds humor in life's darkest moments.

Advanced Usage

• As a narrative tone: The term can describe the overall tone of a work, not just its genre classification.
  • The novel is written with a black comedy sensibility, making the protagonist's misfortunes strangely amusing.

Variants and Related Words

• Black humor (noun): The specific style of humor characteristic of black comedy; morbid or cynical humor.
  • The writer is known for his sharp black humor.

Synonyms

• Dark comedy: A direct synonym, often used interchangeably.
• Gallows humor: Humor that arises from stressful, traumatic, or life-threatening situations; a specific type of black humor.

Related Idioms & Phrases

• To have a sense of black comedy: To appreciate or understand this particular type of humor.
  • You need to have a sense of black comedy to enjoy that movie.

Noun

1. comedy that uses black humor