World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesStraight man
/ˈstreɪt ˌmæn/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A comedian in a comedy duo who plays a serious, conventional, or deadpan role in contrast to the eccentric or silly antics of the partner.
"He played the perfect straight man, reacting with utter disbelief to his partner's wild jokes." - 2
A person who acts as an earnest or serious foil to someone else in a practical joke, scam, or social situation.
"She served as the unsuspecting straight man while her colleagues pulled off the elaborate prank."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from traditional theatrical and Vaudeville terminology dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term 'straight' historically meant straightforward or serious, contrasting with the 'funny man' or comic in a double act, who relied on absurdity and exaggeration.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Straight man"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Straight man" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
faire-valoir
Transliteration: fɛʁ.va.lwaʁ
"Il joue le rôle du faire-valoir dans leur spectacle comique."
weißer Clown
Transliteration: ˈvaɪ̯sɐ klaʊ̯n
"Er übernahm die Rolle des ernsthaften Partners in der Comedy-Show."
spalla comica
Transliteration: ˈspalla ˈkɔmika
"Lui fa sempre la spalla comica nel loro duo."
partenaire serio
Transliteration: paɾ.teˈnaɾ.je ˈse.ɾjo
"Actuó como el compañero serio frente a las payasadas de su colega."
escada
Transliteration: isˈka.dɐ
"Ele fez o papel de escada para o comediante principal."
गंभीर साथी
Transliteration: gambhir sathi
Script: हिंदी देवनागरी
"वह कॉमेडी जोड़ी में गंभीर साथी की भूमिका निभाता है।"
捧哏
Transliteration: pěng gán
Script: 中文汉字
"他在相声表演中扮演捧哏的角色。"
진지한 역할
Transliteration: jin-jihan yeok-hal
Script: 한국어 한글
"그는 코미디 듀오에서 진지한 역할을 맡았다."
ツッコミ
Transliteration: tsukkomi
Script: 日本語
"彼はコントの中で見事なツッコミ役を務めた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
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The devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge of an academic subject, especially in a university or college setting.
The act of turning one's eyes upward or around as an expression of annoyance, exasperation, or disbelief.
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