Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “comical” come from?

Comical derives from English comic, from Ancient Greek κωμικός, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ḱem-, meaning to move or agitate.

comical (English): Originally, relating to comedy; Funny,...

Definitions

  1. Originally, relating to comedy; Funny,...

Ancestry of “comical”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishcomicalle—
2Latincōmicus—
3Ancient Greekκωμικόςcomic
4Ancient Greekκῶμοςfestival, procession, revel, carousal; The band...
5Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómso-—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanḱens-to announce, to proclaim; to put in order
7Proto-Indo-Europeanḱem-to cover, conceal; hornless

Words derived from “comical”

  • comically
  • comicality
  • uncomical
  • comicalness
  • uncomically
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱem- →