Definition

A sudden shift in tone from something serious or elevated to something trivial or silly, often resulting in a humorous or disappointing effect.

Example

The movie's ending was filled with bathos, as it shifted from a dramatic climax to a silly joke.

Conversation

Did you see that movie last night?

Yeah, I thought it was great until the end.

Right? The sudden bathos was so unexpected!

Totally! It really changed the tone of the whole film.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bathos is derived from the Greek word "bathos" (βάθος), meaning depth. In literary terms, it refers to an abrupt transition from the sublime to the trivial or ridiculous, often creating a sense of depth in a humorous or ironic way.

Memory Tip

Think of 'depth' in Greek ('bathos') to remember that 'bathos' refers to a sudden shift to something trivial or ridiculous, creating a contrast in depth.

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