drama

American  

[drah-muh, dram-uh] / ˈdrɑ mə, ˈdræm ə /

noun

• dramas
  plural

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.

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drama British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• minidrama
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• dramas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of drama

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

Explanation

Drama is highly emotional. It can happen on stage, like a performance of "Hamlet," or in a gaggle of 7th grade girls, breathlessly dissecting why so-and-so broke up with what's-her-name. The word drama comes directly from Greek, meaning "action" or "a play." Which is no surprise, since ancient Athens was a hotbed of dramatic theater. The earliest recorded actor was a Greek named Thespis, and actors today are still called "thespians" in his honor. Drama doesn't always take place on the stage, though. You can use the word, sometimes with a roll of the eyes, to describe behavior or a reaction to a situation that appears a little overly emotional.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

drama dramas

The actor is starring alongside the Oscar-winning Mikey Madison in "The Social Reckoning," the drama directed and written by Aaron Sorkin that delves into the inner workings of Facebook.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

At Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Saint switched from training to be a teacher to majoring in drama.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Pointedly reminiscent at times of movies by such masters as Alfred Hitchcock and Michael Mann, the film is a classically crafted, period-evocative drama of often claustrophobic emotional tension.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Howells, from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, won the Bafta Cymru for best actor in 2021 for his portrayal of Colin in Russell T Davies' 1980s-set drama It's A Sin.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Ellsberg, a self-described “Watergate junkie,” watched the drama speed toward its climax.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Fans of Mungiu’s searing dramas might be surprised to hear him crack a joke.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Really, the questionable part of vertical dramas is the gambling-style structure that envelopes them, not some inherent problem with the content itself.

From Slate ● Sep. 26, 2026

Viewers of Tudor period dramas will know Elizabeth I as history’s dressiest queen.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

Live sports, daytime dramas, talk shows, news, social media content and advertising and corporate videos would not be eligible.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

Medical dramas made it even harder for me to blend in at school.

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge

Related Words

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