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- Dictionaryburlesque/bəːˈlɛsk/
noun
- 1. an absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something, especially in a literary or dramatic work; a parody: "a novel which is a burlesque of the literary life"
- 2. a variety show, typically including striptease: "burlesque clubs"
verb
- 1. parody or imitate in an absurd or comically exaggerated way: "a mock-heroic farce that burlesques the affectations of Restoration heroic drama"
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A burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects. [1] . The word derives from the Italian burlesco, which, in turn, is derived from the Italian burla – a joke, ridicule or mockery. [2] [3]
showing or writing about something serious in a way that tries to make it seem stupid and funny: The piece she wrote was a burlesque treatment of a religious sermon. Synonyms. mocking. satirical. More examples. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.
The meaning of BURLESQUE is a literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation. How to use burlesque in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Burlesque.
26 Nov 2010 · Traditionally, burlesque is a type of variety show that is both provocative and comedic. It features a female chorus and solo dances, plus bawdy, slapstick skits and songs. And yes, it may feature striptease acts, but not necessarily. Burlesque comes from the Italian and means “mockery.”.
A burlesque is a performance or a piece of writing that makes fun of something by copying it in an exaggerated way. You can also use burlesque to refer to a situation in real life that is like this.
a type of writing or acting that tries to make something serious seem stupid and funny: The dance scene is in part a burlesque of Bollywood movies. The political burlesques are not very hard-hitting and kind of bland. The comedy is subtle and nuanced; it never tips over into burlesque. Synonym. parody. [ C or U ] US.
noun. an artistic composition, especially literary or dramatic, that, for the sake of laughter, vulgarizes lofty material or treats ordinary material with mock dignity. Synonyms: farce, lampoon, satire. any ludicrous parody or grotesque caricature.
In contemporary usage, burlesque is a playfully nostalgic form of striptease — think fans and feather boas rather than explicit nudity — but this is just the latest form of an ironic style of entertainment dating back to medieval times.
Definition of burlesque noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
1. A literary or dramatic work that makes fun of something, often by means of outlandish exaggeration. 2. A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty: The antics of the defense attorneys turned the trial into a burlesque of justice. 3. A variety show characterized by broad ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease.
