Did you know?
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
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024
A little Shakespeare, a little vaudeville, Denzel’s Macrinus keeps the movie spinning.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
Born in 1922, Garland started performing with her sisters in a vaudeville group before signing with MGM at age 13.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Cole had given up just four hits and one run on 88 pitches before Boone brought out the vaudeville hook.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vaudeville 
Articles Related to vaudeville
Dictionary Entries Near vaudeville
Cite this Entry
“Vaudeville.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaudeville. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vaudeville
noun
ˈväd-
ˈvōd-
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"
Share