SLAPSTICK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does slapstick mean? 

• SLAPSTICK (noun)
  The noun SLAPSTICK has 2 senses:

1. a boisterous comedy with chases and collisions and practical jokes

2. acoustic device consisting of two paddles hinged together; used by an actor to make a loud noise without inflicting injury when striking someone

  Familiarity information: SLAPSTICK used as a noun is rare.

• SLAPSTICK (adjective)
  The adjective SLAPSTICK has 1 sense:

1. characterized by horseplay and physical action

  Familiarity information: SLAPSTICK used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SLAPSTICK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A boisterous comedy with chases and collisions and practical jokes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("slapstick" is a kind of...):

comedy (light and humorous drama with a happy ending)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Acoustic device consisting of two paddles hinged together; used by an actor to make a loud noise without inflicting injury when striking someone

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("slapstick" is a kind of...):

acoustic device (a device for amplifying or transmitting sound)

• SLAPSTICK (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized by horseplay and physical action

Context example:

slapstick style of humor

Similar:

humorous; humourous (full of or characterized by humor)