straight man

NOUN

comedian who sets up joke

Synonyms

STRONGEST

sidekick

WEAK

banana feed feeder foil second banana stooge straight person

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In that way, Jost functions as something that might’ve been equally powerful for "SNL"’s mainstream American audiences to witness: namely, a straight man embracing queerness, enjoying its sensibilities, and approaching it without fear.

From Salon • Feb. 17, 2025

It’s a lot more development than I think many people would have expected for this character who, in the sitcom, functions as the straight man.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2024

But he has grown into his role at “Saturday Night Live,” proving to be an especially strong straight man adept at the comedy of embarrassment.

From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2024

Jadeja is a nice contrast - steady, quick, chipping away, the straight man to Ashwin's varied expressions.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2024

I thought I was playing straight man for some elaborate joke, but Lee was serious.

From The Moralist by Taylor, Jack