slapstick

/ˈslæpstɪk/
noun
  1. Comedy that involves exaggerated physical actions, such as falling, hitting, or chasing, often with silly and harmless humor.
    • Children love slapstick because the jokes are easy to understand and very visual.
    • The comedian's slapstick routine had the audience laughing at his clumsy antics.
    • The movie was full of slapstick, with characters slipping on banana peels and getting pies in the face.
  2. A device consisting of two flat pieces of wood that make a loud noise when struck together, used in comedy to simulate a hitting sound.
    • The prop master handed the actor a slapstick to use in the scene.
    • The sound of the slapstick added a classic comedic effect to the performance.
    • In old vaudeville shows, the slapstick was a common tool for physical comedy.
Synonyms
adjective
  1. Relating to or characterized by slapstick comedy.
    • The cartoon is known for its slapstick humor and wild chases.
    • The play had a slapstick scene where the actors kept bumping into each other.
    • She enjoys slapstick movies more than romantic comedies.
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