ka·bu·ki / kəˈboōkē/ • n. a form of traditional Japanese drama with highly stylized song, mime, and dance, now performed only by male actors.ORIGIN: Japanese, originally as a verb meaning ‘act dissolutely,’ later interpreted as if from ka ‘song’ + bu ‘dance’ + ki ‘art.’

kabuki theatre Stylized mixture of dance and music, mime and vocal performance; a major form of moralizing entertainment in Japan since the mid-17th century. In contrast to No drama, which originated with the nobility, Kabuki was the theatre of the common people. See also Japanese theatre