drama

American  

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

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.

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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

• minidrama
  noun

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

The goals, the drama, the heartbreak, the magic, none of that stops.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

The drama showed Sacks is as influential as ever, catapulted in part by the president’s fear of losing the nation’s lead in AI.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

But there was drama in the bottom of the seventh inning.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

Scarlett Johansson’s performance in the emotional crime drama sparked some of the first major Oscar chatter, though the actress was absent from the red carpet.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

Other voices chimed in—from the head of the University of Oregon’s volcanology department, from Stanford University, and others—to counteract Johnston’s drama.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Related Words

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