HOW TO PRONOUNCE
burlesque
/bɚˈlɛsk/
Press play to hear how to pronounce burlesque.
American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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LISTEN FOR THIS
Stress “lesque” and finish with “sk.”
Use two syllables, beginning with a light r-colored vowel. Keep the final s and k connected, and do not add a separate syllable for the written ue.
2 syllables · Stress on syllable 2
TRY SAYING
“The program includes a burlesque performance.”
APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗What does burlesque mean?
noun
- A derisive art form that mocks by imitation; a parody.
- A variety adult entertainment show, usually including titillation such as striptease, most common from the 1880s to the 1930s.
- A ludicrous imitation; a caricature; a travesty; a gross perversion.
More meanings (3)
verb
- To make a burlesque parody of.
- To ridicule, or to make ludicrous by grotesque representation in action or in language.
adjective
- (dated) Parodical; parodic
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/bɚˈlɛsk/
Pronunciation used in the listening tip.
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Socialism and political economy, then, while waging a burlesque war, pursue in reality the same idea,--the organization of labor.
Such was the burlesque that was played, they tell us, as the afterpiece to the tragedy of Crassus's expedition.
More book examples (3)
"Mrs. Corey's house," interrupted the host, with a burlesque haste in disclaiming responsibility for it that made them all laugh.
I said, “Is it blessing, is it banning, Do they applaud you or burlesque you-- Those hands and fingers with no flesh on?”
Delightful work may be produced under burlesque and farcical conditions, and in work of this kind the artist in England is allowed very great freedom.