campiness Definition
the quality of being exaggerated, theatrical, or humorous in style, typically intentionally so as to create an ironic or knowing effect.
Using campiness: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "campiness" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The movie's campiness was intentional and added to its charm.
Example
The play's campiness made it a hit with audiences.
Example
The fashion show featured outfits with a lot of campiness.
campiness Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for campiness
- theatricality
- exaggeration
- over-the-topness
Phrases with campiness
high camp
a style of camp that is deliberately exaggerated and over-the-top, often with a sense of irony or parody
Example
The drag queen's performance was a perfect example of high camp.
low camp
a style of camp that is unintentionally exaggerated or ridiculous, often due to poor quality or lack of self-awareness
Example
The B-movie's low budget and poor acting resulted in a lot of unintentional low camp.
camp it up
to deliberately exaggerate or overplay one's actions or mannerisms for comedic or theatrical effect
Example
The actor camped it up for the audience, eliciting laughs and applause.
Summary: campiness in Brief
Campiness [kæmp-i-ness] refers to a style that is exaggerated, theatrical, or humorous, often with an ironic or knowing effect. It can be intentional, as in the case of a fashion show or movie, or unintentional, as in a poorly made B-movie. 'High camp' is a deliberate form of camp that is exaggerated and over-the-top, while 'low camp' is unintentional and often due to poor quality. 'Camp it up' means to deliberately exaggerate or overplay one's actions or mannerisms for comedic or theatrical effect.
