Satire Meaning
/ˈsætaɪɹ/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA literary device of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change or highlighting a shortcoming in the work of another. Imitation, humor, irony, and exaggeration are often used to aid this.
nounA satirical work.
Sentence Examples
He was not aware that the praise was a satire in disguise.
The play is a satire on the political world.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The comedian's show was a clever ____ that made fun of politicians.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The playwright used sharp ____ to mock the corruption and hypocrisy of the ruling class.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French satire, from Old French, from Latin satira, from earlier satura, from lanx satura (“full dish”), from feminine of satur. Altered in Latin by influence of Ancient Greek σάτυρος (sáturos, “satyr”), on the mistaken notion that the form is related to the Greek σατυρικὸν δράμα (saturikòn dráma, “satyr drama”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"CAESAR. No, by the gods! would that it had been! Vengeance at least is human. No, I say: those severed right hands, and the brave Vercingetorix basely strangled in a vault beneath the Capitol, were (with shuddering satire) a wise severity, a necessary protection to the commonwealth, a duty of statesmanship—follies and fictions ten times bloodier than honest vengeance!"
— 1898, George Bernard Shaw, Caesar and Cleopatra:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The comedian's show was a clever ____ that made fun of politicians.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The playwright used sharp ____ to mock the corruption and hypocrisy of the ruling class.