vaudeville

noun

vaude·​ville ˈvȯd-vəl How to pronounce vaudeville (audio)
ˈväd-,
ˈvōd-,
-ˌvil How to pronounce vaudeville (audio) ˈvȯ-də- How to pronounce vaudeville (audio)
ˈvä-,
ˈvō-
1
: a light often comic theatrical piece frequently combining pantomime, dialogue, dancing, and song
2
: stage entertainment consisting of various acts (such as performing animals, comedians, or singers)
vaudevillian
ˌvȯd-ˈvil-yən How to pronounce vaudeville (audio)
ˌväd-
ˌvōd-;
ˌvȯ-də-
ˌvä-
ˌvō-
noun or adjective

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In the 15th century, several amusing songs became popular across France. These songs were said to have been written by a man named Olivier Basselin who lived in the valley of the river Vire in northwest France. The songs eventually became known as chansons de vau-de-Vire, meaning "songs of the valley of Vire." Other people began writing and performing similar songs, and as this form of entertainment became more widespread, the link to vau-de-Vire was forgotten. The nickname was shortened to one word, vaudevire. As the phenomenon spread beyond France, further changes in pronunciation and spelling shifted vaudevire into vaudeville. The meaning also broadened to include humorous performances and variety shows.

Examples of vaudeville in a Sentence

She became a big star in vaudeville.
Recent Examples on the Web There’s something old-fashioned about his comic style, a ba-da-bump in his cadence, a touch of vaudeville in his pivots. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Poli’s Palace presented daily vaudeville shows, and silent movies were shown backed by the Palace Symphony Orchestra. Gary Stoller, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 This is epitomized in Billy Crystal’s silly-annoying Miracle Max skit (an unexpected steal of Mel Brooks’s ethnic vaudeville to contrast with the WASPy love story). Armond White, National Review, 7 Feb. 2024 Think Lucille Ball’s ability to make a studio audience get close to splitting their pants with just a look, or Fanny Brice’s use of vaudeville as both a bit and demonstration of clear musical prowess. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2024 As Hollywood’s first Native American movie star, vaudeville performer and social commentator Will Rogers emceed and presented trophies at the 1934 Oscars ceremony, at which Katharine Hepburn received her first Oscar. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024 Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand blending horror movies, vaudeville and garage rock with a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors. Monica Hooper, arkansasonline.com, 29 Jan. 2024 Those relationships spurred his passion as a showbiz historian and collector of memorabilia from the days of vaudeville as well as 78 RPM records produced in the 1920s through the early 1950s. William Earl, Variety, 29 May 2023 As far back as the late 19th century, vaudeville shows and early Hollywood films featured gender-nonconforming performers. Sasha Urban, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vaudeville.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "satirical song, comic theatrical piece," going back to Middle French (chançons de) vaul de ville "topical satirical songs," earlier vau de vire, named (according to 16th-century French authors) after the val de Vire, valley of the Vire River in Normandy, where such songs were allegedly composed

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vaudeville was in 1827

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Cite this Entry

“Vaudeville.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaudeville. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vaudeville

noun
vaude·​ville ˈvȯd(-ə)-vəl How to pronounce vaudeville (audio) ˈväd- How to pronounce vaudeville (audio) ˈvōd- How to pronounce vaudeville (audio)
-ˌvil
: theatrical entertainment made up of a variety of songs, dances, and comic acts
Etymology

from French vaudeville "a humorous song or skit," derived from early French vaudevire "a song that makes fun of something," from chansons de vau de Vire "songs of the valley of Vire"

Word Origin
In the 15th century, a number of humorous songs became popular in France. The songs were said to have been written by a man who lived in the valley of the River Vire, which is located in northwest France. The songs became known as chansons de vau de Vire, meaning "songs of the valley of Vire." Other people were soon writing and performing similar songs. Before long, people no longer connected such songs with the valley of Vire. The name chansons de vau de Vire was shortened to one word, vaudevire. Further changes in spelling and pronunciation have given us the modern word vaudeville, which refers not only to humorous songs, but also to other forms of popular entertainment.

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