seriocomic

comparative more seriocomic · superlative most seriocomic

1. Having both serious and comedic qualities or tendencies.

   Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead is a seriocomic romp through the summer of a group of teenagers.

   1 more example

   He addresses the audience directly and confidentially in an extraordinary 124-line adoxograph which is part social satire and part seriocomic plea for our commitment to his suzerainty […].

   2005, John W. Velz, “Adoxography as Mode of Discourse for Satan and His Underlings in Medieval Plays”, in Clifford Davidson, editor, The Dramatic Tradition of the Middle Ages [AMS Studies in the Middle Ages; 26], New York, N.Y.: AMS Press, →ISBN, page 102

   Synonyms: ludicroserious, seriocomedic

plural seriocomics

1. historicalA seriocomic performer; especially, a female variety performer working in seriocomic acting and singing.First known use 19th c.

   One day, when Philip had been at the shop for five months, Miss Alice Antonia, the well-known seriocomic, came in and asked to see Mr Sampson.

   1915, W. Somerset Maugham, chapter 107, in Of Human Bondage