kabuki
[ kah-boo-kee, kuh-, kah-boo-kee ]
/ kɑˈbu ki, kə-, ˈkɑ bu ki /
noun
popular drama of Japan, developed chiefly in the 17th century, characterized by elaborate costuming, rhythmic dialogue, stylized acting, music, and dancing, and the performance of both male and female roles by male actors.
Compare Nō.
(initial capital letter) Also called Grand Kabuki.
public performances of this type of drama.
Origin of kabuki
1895–1900; < Japanese: orig., as v., to act dissolutely; usually written with phonograms that carry the meanings “song-dance-skill”
Words nearby kabuki
Example sentences from the Web for kabuki
British Dictionary definitions for kabuki
kabuki
/ (kæˈbuːkɪ) /
noun
a form of Japanese drama based on popular legends and characterized by elaborate costumes, stylized acting, and the use of male actors for all roles
See also No 1
Word Origin for kabuki
Japanese, from
ka singing +
bu dancing +
ki art