drama

[drah-muh, dram-uh]

noun

1. a composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue or pantomime a story involving conflict or contrast of character, especially one intended to be acted on the stage; a play.

2. the branch of literature having such compositions as its subject; dramatic art or representation.

3. the art dealing with the writing and production of plays.

4. any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results.

   the drama of a murder trial.

5. the quality of being dramatic.

drama

/ ˈdrɑːmə /

noun

1. a work to be performed by actors on stage, radio, or television; play

2. the genre of literature represented by works intended for the stage

3. the art of the writing and production of plays

4. a situation or sequence of events that is highly emotional, tragic, or turbulent

Other Word Forms

• minidrama noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of drama¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Late Latin, from Greek drâma “action (of a play),” from drá(ein), drâ(n) “to act, do” + -ma, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of drama¹

C17: from Late Latin: a play, from Greek: something performed, from drān to do

Example Sentences

And it doesn’t take a discerning eye to realize that the horror movies distributed and produced by these companies share similar themes and narratives to their awards-bait dramas, told in ways that skew scarier.

Read more on Salon

There’s been a lot of drama in car stocks lately.

Read more on Barron's

In “Little Woods,” DaCosta cast her in a naturalistic drama similar to Jennifer Lawrence’s early breakout role in “Winter’s Bone,” but also one that most likely wouldn’t otherwise be offered to her.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The popular, well-reviewed drama collected five Oscar nominations: lead actor and actress, costume design, film editing and sound mixing.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Never say never," said executive producer Hannah Cheers, who was instrumental in resurrecting the pioneering and hard-hitting Channel 4 drama after nearly 22 years.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• comedy 
• farce 
• melodrama 
• play 
• production 
• scene 
• show 
• theater 
• tragedy