sitcom
UK: ˈsɪtkɒm | US: ˈsɪtkɑːm
n. a television or radio series featuring a recurring cast of characters in humorous situations, typically structured around a central premise (e.g., family life, workplace).
The word "sitcom" is a clipped compound of "situation comedy," a genre pioneered in early radio and television. The term emerged in the 1950s as a shorthand for scripted shows blending recurring characters with episodic humor. The morpheme "sit" preserves the core idea of a staged scenario ("situation"), while "com" reflects the genre's focus on lighthearted narratives ("comedy"). This efficient blending mirrors the format's concise, formulaic structure.
Friends is a classic sitcom about a group of young adults living in New York.
Modern sitcoms often use single-camera filming instead of live audiences.
The sitcom’s witty dialogue made it a hit with viewers.
She binge-watched an entire sitcom series over the weekend.
Workplace sitcoms rely heavily on character dynamics for humor.