lampoon

C1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /læmˈpuːn/ UK /læmˈpuːn/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

verb
to publicly criticize someone or something by using ridicule or sarcasm

The comedian's routine was a lampoon of political figures.
2

noun
a written work or speech that mocks or ridicules

The satirical magazine is known for its lampoons of celebrities.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to publicly criticize... mock satirize parody ridicule roast

2 noun · a written work or speech... satire parodyspoofcaricature burlesque

Opposites

praise laud flatter

Simplified etymology

Lampoon came into English in the mid-17th century from French lampon. This is said to derive from lampons, “let us drink,” a refrain in popular 17th-century French drinking songs, based on lamper, “gulp down.” The English word came to mean publicly criticizing someone through ridicule or irony.

Etymology

From French lampons ("let us drink"), a refrain in drinking songs, giving lampon ("satirical verse"), borrowed into English in the 17th century as lampoon ("satirical writing or ridicule").

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# lampoon

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /læmˈpuːn/
**IPA (UK):** /læmˈpuːn/

## Meanings
1. to publicly criticize someone or something by using ridicule or sarcasm
2. a written work or speech that mocks or ridicules

## Examples
- The comedian's routine was a lampoon of political figures.
- The satirical magazine is known for its lampoons of celebrities.

## Synonyms
- mock
- satirize
- parody
- ridicule
- roast
- satire
- spoof
- caricature
- burlesque

## Antonyms
- praise
- laud
- flatter

## Etymology
From French lampons ("let us drink"), a refrain in drinking songs, giving lampon ("satirical verse"), borrowed into English in the 17th century as lampoon ("satirical writing or ridicule").

## AI Etymology
Lampoon comes from French lampons ("let us drink"), a refrain in drinking songs, giving lampon ("satirical verse"), borrowed into English in the 17th century as lampoon ("satirical writing or ridicule"). In current use it is a verb and noun meaning "to publicly criticize someone or something by using ridicule or sarcasm". That sense is explained by the older material without requiring a speculative semantic step: the inherited or borrowed base supplies the field of meaning, while the English formation fixes its modern role. The history is mainly one of transmission into English, with the older form and sense carried through borrowing or adaptation. For dictionary purposes, the important point is the continuity between the older form, the route into English, and the present lexical sense.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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