dramatic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to the drama.
- Synonyms:
- theatrical
-
employing the form or manner of the drama.
-
characteristic of or appropriate to the drama, especially in involving conflict or contrast; vivid; moving.
dramatic colors;
a dramatic speech.
-
highly effective; striking.
The silence following his impassioned speech was dramatic.
- Synonyms:
- sensational, startling
adjective
-
of or relating to drama
-
like a drama in suddenness, emotional impact, etc
-
striking; effective
-
acting or performed in a flamboyant way
-
music (of a voice) powerful and marked by histrionic quality
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dramatic
First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin drāmaticus, from Greek drāmatikós, equivalent to drāmat- (stem of drâma ) drama + -ikos -ic
Explanation
Dramatic means having to do with a play, as in “a dramatic production.” It also means striking or exaggerated. Half an hour of exercise a day can have a dramatic effect on your physical well being. If you burst into tears when you get a B on a paper and wail, “Now I’m never going to get into college,” you can be accused of being dramatic, which means you’re acting out your reaction, or overly dramatic, which means your reaction is over the top.
Vocabulary lists containing dramatic
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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Steve Jobs's Commencement Address (2005)
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Speech and Debate
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Rasmussen, a professor of political science at Syracuse University, has the more dramatic story.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
“It’s a dramatic impact, especially for us smaller companies,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
The BBC's Ana Faguy breaks down how the dramatic day in court unfolded.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
The plant's striking appearance helps explain its dramatic name.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026
“She is going, going, gone. The woman is”—and here my aunt paused for a few dramatic seconds—“dead.”
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
