Burlesque

/bɜːrˈlesk/

noun

A type of theater show that makes fun of something or someone by imitating them in a silly way.

The spotlight lit up the stage as the burlesque show began.

Often appears as...

burlesque show
burlesque dancer

adjective

Relating to a type of theater show that is humorous and often involves adult entertainment.

The burlesque dancer wore a feathered costume.

Often appears as...

burlesque show
burlesque dancer

verb

To make fun of something or someone by copying them in an exaggerated way.

The comedian burlesqued the politician's speech.

Often appears as...

burlesqued the situation
burlesqued the accent

noun

A type of theater show that makes fun of something or someone by imitating them in a silly way.

The spotlight lit up the stage as the burlesque show began.

Often appears as...

burlesque show
burlesque dancer

adjective

Relating to a type of theater show that is humorous and often involves adult entertainment.

The burlesque dancer wore a feathered costume.

Often appears as...

burlesque show
burlesque dancer

verb

To make fun of something or someone by copying them in an exaggerated way.

The comedian burlesqued the politician's speech.

Often appears as...

burlesqued the situation
burlesqued the accent

Definition 1 of 3

Pro Tip 1/3

Exaggerated Humor

Burlesque exaggerates features or behavior for comic effect.

The play's burlesque of fairy tales had everyone laughing.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Modern Satire

Unlike satire, burlesque targets broad subjects rather than current events.

That burlesque mimicry evokes classic comedy rather than pointed political commentary.

Pro Tip 3/3

Stage Performances

Burlesque traditionally involves theatrical performances, using costumes and sometimes music.

She attended a burlesque that parodied famous Broadway shows.

Pro Tip 1/3

Exaggerated Humor

Burlesque exaggerates features or behavior for comic effect.

The play's burlesque of fairy tales had everyone laughing.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Modern Satire

Unlike satire, burlesque targets broad subjects rather than current events.

That burlesque mimicry evokes classic comedy rather than pointed political commentary.

Pro Tip 3/3

Stage Performances

Burlesque traditionally involves theatrical performances, using costumes and sometimes music.

She attended a burlesque that parodied famous Broadway shows.

Pro Tip 1/3

Exaggerated Humor

Burlesque exaggerates features or behavior for comic effect.

The play's burlesque of fairy tales had everyone laughing.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Modern Satire

Unlike satire, burlesque targets broad subjects rather than current events.

That burlesque mimicry evokes classic comedy rather than pointed political commentary.

Pro Tip 3/3

Stage Performances

Burlesque traditionally involves theatrical performances, using costumes and sometimes music.

She attended a burlesque that parodied famous Broadway shows.

Compare with

caricaturefarcelampoonmockeryparodicridiculesatirespoof

Look up Compare with

Visual representation of the word "Burlesque"

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Video examples

This Clown Philosopher...

emotion that circus gets more popular clowns get more popular the pantomime world is coming together the circus reaching a golden age and eventually where all this pays off a mass entertainment scale is with vaudeville and burlesque in America well with the

Video examples

This Clown Philosopher...

Example 1 of 1

Quote examples

Carmen Electra

American Actress

I was performing in this burlesque group, and we would go to dance rehearsals every day. You'd use every part of your body. Even though some of it is slow, it takes a lot of muscle to be able to dip down and come back up.

Quote examples

Pedro Almodovar

Spanish Director

The silent film has a lot of meanings. The first part of the film is comic. It represents the burlesque feel of those silent films. But I think that the second part of the film is full of tenderness and emotion.

Quote examples

Martin Mull

American Actor

Some of the pictures I must say every now and then I just think are going to be funny. When it gets that much, you might as well just pull out all the stops and make it more of a burlesque.

Quote examples

Dita Von Teese

American Dancer

Every one of my products - my lingerie, my perfume, and everything that I do beauty-related with regard to building my burlesque shows - is just me.

Quote examples

I. F. Stone

American Journalist

The difference between burlesque and the newspapers is that the former never pretended to be performing a public service by exposure.

Quote examples

Seymour Cassel

American Actor

My mother worked in the old Minsky's troupe, which toured the country in the golden age of burlesque theatre.

Quote examples

Alan Alda

American Actor

You know what my earliest memories are? Going from one burlesque town to another. My father was in burlesque.

Quote examples

Esme Bianco

English Model

Objectivity is almost a choice you make. As a burlesque performer, I didn't choose to be objectified.

Quote examples

Marcel Marceau

French Actor

Bip is the romantic and burlesque hero for our time. Bip is a modern-day Don Quixote.

Quote examples

Carmen Carrera

American Entertainer

I want to be a successful trans woman burlesque performer.

Quote examples

Carmen Electra

American Actress

I was performing in this burlesque group, and we would go to dance rehearsals every day. You'd use every part of your body. Even though some of it is slow, it takes a lot of muscle to be able to dip down and come back up.

Quote examples

Pedro Almodovar

Spanish Director

The silent film has a lot of meanings. The first part of the film is comic. It represents the burlesque feel of those silent films. But I think that the second part of the film is full of tenderness and emotion.

Quote examples

Martin Mull

American Actor

Some of the pictures I must say every now and then I just think are going to be funny. When it gets that much, you might as well just pull out all the stops and make it more of a burlesque.

Quote examples

Dita Von Teese

American Dancer

Every one of my products - my lingerie, my perfume, and everything that I do beauty-related with regard to building my burlesque shows - is just me.

Quote examples

I. F. Stone

American Journalist

The difference between burlesque and the newspapers is that the former never pretended to be performing a public service by exposure.

Quote examples

Seymour Cassel

American Actor

My mother worked in the old Minsky's troupe, which toured the country in the golden age of burlesque theatre.

Quote examples

Alan Alda

American Actor

You know what my earliest memories are? Going from one burlesque town to another. My father was in burlesque.

Quote examples

Esme Bianco

English Model

Objectivity is almost a choice you make. As a burlesque performer, I didn't choose to be objectified.

Quote examples

Marcel Marceau

French Actor

Bip is the romantic and burlesque hero for our time. Bip is a modern-day Don Quixote.

Quote examples

Carmen Carrera

American Entertainer

I want to be a successful trans woman burlesque performer.

Example 1 of 10

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