romantic comedy

noun

plural romantic comedies
: a light, comic movie or other work whose plot focuses on the development of a romantic relationship
This brings us to romantic comedies. … They make money, spawn franchises, and are popular in books, movies, and on television. Sexual tension is fun to watch, and we like rooting for a will-they-won't-they couple.—Elizabeth Logan
also : this style or genre of work
an actor with a talent for romantic comedy

called also rom-com

Examples of romantic comedy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some jokes in this seminal Judd Apatow comedy are certainly products of the mid-2000s, but much of the movie endures as a genuinely funny and sweet romantic comedy. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026 He was also known for working alongside Selma Hayek in the 1997 romantic comedy Fools Rush In, as well as his work on The Whole Nine Yards, Almost Heroes and Three to Tango. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 By her mid 20s Meriwether was pitching an ahead-of-its-time TV series called Sluts—a kind of lost precursor to Girls—and the screenplay Fuckbuddies, which became the romantic comedy No Strings Attached. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026 Its first projects will include a romantic comedy, coming-of-age story and thriller, the titles and casts of which will be announced in the coming months, according to a press release. — Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for romantic comedy

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of romantic comedy was in 1818

Rhymes for romantic comedy

See All Rhymes for romantic comedy

Browse Nearby Words

romanticalness
romantic comedy
romantic encounter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Romantic comedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/romantic%20comedy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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