Definition

1. Noun:

   • A humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature, music, or style: A "parody" exaggerates the features of the original work to create a comic effect or criticism.
   • A weak or ridiculous imitation: Something so bad or inaccurate that it seems like a mockery of the original.

2. Verb:

   • To create a parody of something: To imitate the style or character of a person, work, or genre in a humorous or satirical way for comic effect or critique.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The film is a hilarious parody of classic horror movies.
  • His attempt at cooking was a parody of the chef's sophisticated recipe.

• Verb:

  • The comedian parodied the politician's famous speech perfectly.
  • The show often parodies current events and popular culture.

Advanced Usage

• "In parody of": As a humorous or mocking imitation of something.
  • He wrote the poem in parody of the Romantic style.
• "Border on parody": To be so extreme or exaggerated that it seems like a mockery.
  • The villain's evil plan bordered on parody.

Variants and Related Words

• Parodist (n): A person who writes parodies.
  • He is a skilled parodist of political rhetoric.
• Parodic (adj): Having the character of a parody.
  • The article had a parodic tone.
• Parodical (adj): Another adjective form meaning pertaining to parody.
  • The sketch was a parodical take on the news.

Synonyms

• Noun: Spoof, satire, lampoon, caricature, takeoff, send-up, imitation.
• Verb: Spoof, satirize, lampoon, caricature, mimic, mock.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Parody" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically conveyed as a single verb.)

Related Idioms

• "A parody of justice": Used to describe a legal process or outcome that is so unfair it seems like a mockery.
  • Many considered the rushed trial a parody of justice.
• "Living parody": A person who seems to be an exaggerated, often ridiculous, imitation of a type.
  • With his outdated ideas, he became a living parody of a 19th-century aristocrat.

Noun

1. humorous or satirical mimicry
2. a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way

Verb

1. make a parody of
   • The students spoofed the teachers
2. make a spoof of or make fun of