romantic comedy

Meaning

A 'romantic comedy' is a movie or television genre that combines elements of romance and comedy. The plot typically centers on two people who meet, face humorous obstacles or misunderstandings, and eventually fall in love by the end. It is a lighthearted, feel-good genre often abbreviated informally as a 'rom-com.'

Examples

• Whenever I'm feeling down, I like to watch a sweet romantic comedy to cheer up.

  Whenever I'm feeling down, I like to watch a sweet romantic comedy to cheer up.

• They started their careers starring in one cheesy romantic comedy after another.

  They started their careers starring in one cheesy romantic comedy after another.

• A good romantic comedy needs to have great chemistry between the lead actors.

  A good romantic comedy needs to have great chemistry between the lead actors.

• He claims he hates love stories, but his favorite movie is actually a romantic comedy.

  He claims he hates love stories, but his favorite movie is actually a romantic comedy.

• The new romantic comedy in theaters is getting surprisingly great reviews from critics.

  The new romantic comedy in theaters is getting surprisingly great reviews from critics.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We watched a romance comedy on our date.

  ✓ We watched a romantic comedy on our date.

  Use the adjective 'romantic', not the noun 'romance', to describe the genre.

• ✗ I don't like serious dramas; I prefer comedy romance shows.

  ✓ I don't like serious dramas; I prefer romantic comedies.

  The standard word order and phrasing is 'romantic comedy' (or 'romantic comedies' in plural), not 'comedy romance'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• A movie about two enemies who slowly fall in love through funny situations is a classic ___.

  💡 A lighthearted genre combining love and humor

  Show answer

  romantic comedy

• I'm not in the mood for action; let's just watch a light ___.

  💡 A feel-good film about relationships and laughs

  Show answer

  romantic comedy