deadpan
/ˈdɛdpæn/adjective, adverb, noun, verb
deadpan is spelled D-E-A-D-P-A-N: 7 letters and 2 syllables. It appears about once in every 2 million words in written English, the 44,767th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, deadpan means “Deliberately impassive or expressionless” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in deadpan?
| Letters | 7: D-E-A-D-P-A-N |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 2 million words; the 44,767th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is deadpan?
Deadpan appears about once in every 2 million words in written English, the 44,767th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce deadpan?
- /ˈdɛdpæn/
Deadpan has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-deadpan.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with deadpan
Also written: dead-pan (one word or two).
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
Forms of deadpan
- more deadpan comparative
- most deadpan superlative
- dead-pan
- dead pan
- deadpans present, singular, he/she/it
- deadpanning participle, present
- deadpanned participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does deadpan mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
Deliberately impassive or expressionless.
a deadpan face or look
- 2
Having such a face or look.
The comedian remained deadpan.
adverb
- 1
In a deadpan manner.
noun
- 1
A style of comedic delivery in which something humorous is said or done while not exhibiting a change in emotion or facial expression.
verb
- 1
To express (something) in an impassive or expressionless manner.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Deadpan in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | pince-sans-rire |
| German | ausdruckslos , ungerührt |
| Portuguese | inexpressivo |
| Spanish | inexpresivo |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does deadpan come from?
From dead + pan (“face”).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).