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.
Netflix has unveiled the cast and a first image for Simon Verhoeven’s German-language romantic comedy Oktoberfest, set against the backdrop of the country’s world-famous beer festival in Munich. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026 This roving work mounts an investigation into that which is typically dismissed as unserious—for example, fashion, perfume, and romantic comedies. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 Michele Reiner, a photographer and philanthropist, met her husband on the set of his classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026 Fans of the film will recall that the song was sung by Ledger in the hit 1999 teen romantic comedy film. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 2026.

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