Definition

Noun: 1. A genre of humorous television or radio program consisting of episodes that depict characters dealing with everyday life events in a comedic way. The humor typically arises from the characters' reactions to familiar or exaggerated situations. 2. An individual television or radio series of this genre.

Usage

The term is used to classify a specific type of comedic narrative program. It is often abbreviated as "sitcom." * It functions as a countable noun when referring to a specific show. * It functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the genre as a whole.

Examples

• Noun (Specific Show):
  • "Friends" and "Seinfeld" are classic examples of a situation comedy.
  • The new situation comedy about a group of coworkers is very popular.
• Noun (Genre):
  • He prefers situation comedy to dramatic series.
  • The network is known for producing high-quality situation comedy.

Advanced Usage

• The term often implies a recurring cast of characters and a standard setting (e.g., a home, an office).
• While traditionally filmed before a live studio audience with a laugh track, modern sitcoms may use a single-camera, cinematic style without one.

Variants and Related Words

• Sitcom (n.): The standard, abbreviated form of "situation comedy." It is more common in everyday speech.
  • We stayed in to watch our favorite sitcom.

Synonyms

• Comedy series
• TV comedy

Related Idioms/Phrases

• To be a sitcom: Used informally to describe a real-life scenario that is absurdly funny or chaotic in a way reminiscent of a sitcom plot.
  • With all the misunderstandings at the family dinner, it was like being in a sitcom.

Noun

1. a humorous television program based on situations that could arise in everyday life
2. a humorous drama based on situations that might arise in day-to-day life