drama

[ drah-muh, dram-uh ]

/ ˈdrɑ mə, ˈdræm ə /

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noun

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.

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

the art dealing with the writing and production of plays.

any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results: the drama of a murder trial.

the quality of being dramatic.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of drama

1505–15; <Late Latin <Greek drâma action (of a play), equivalent to drâ(n) to do + -ma noun suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM drama

min·i·dra·ma, noun

Words nearby drama

Drakensberg, Drake Passage, Drake, Sir Francis, Dralon, dram, drama, dramady, Dramamine, drama queen, drama therapy, dramatic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use drama in a sentence

Calls for new taxpayer support of the Postal Service have increased during the pandemic and the latest drama has brought renewed attention to the agency’s plight.
Info About Local Post Office Operations Is Conflicting and Hard to Come By|Ashly McGlone and Kate Nucci|August 27, 2020|Voice of San Diego
The greatest visual drama comes from the planet’s rings, viewed from a unique perspective.
These Images Expose the Dark Side of the Solar System - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Corey S. Powell|August 26, 2020|Nautilus
That’s not to say the ensuing drama around TikTok won’t affect advertisers’ plans.
‘There’s been no emails or interest’: As the drama over TikTok intensifies, advertiser interest cools|Seb Joseph|August 6, 2020|Digiday
It “plays out the whole drama of courtship, marriage, and parenthood in terms of types of behavior believed to be innate and therefore appropriate for one sex or for the other.”
Gender Is What You Make of It - Issue 88: Love & Sex|Charles King|August 5, 2020|Nautilus

Nature’s fireworks can light the sky with electrifying drama.
Lightning megaflashes set big new distance and duration records|Carolyn Gramling|July 21, 2020|Science News For Students
Rashad was there to celebrate the release of the Civil Rights drama Selma.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
How about baby drama with little Abijean and the Wee Baby Seamus?
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
More than 20 million people tuned in to a broadcast network drama and saw two gay men have explicit sex.
Year of the Butt: How the Booty Changed the World in 2014|Kevin Fallon|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nowhere to be found is the anguish, the drama, the pain of an athlete on that level who considering walking away.
The Story of the World’s Greatest Cricket Player|William O’Connor|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Few series arrive with the buzz of Aaron Sorkin's HBO drama.
'The Newsroom' Ended As It Began: Weird, Controversial, and Noble|Kevin Fallon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was therefore prepared to sustain her part in the drama Routemberg was bringing on the tapis.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The overture is over, the curtain is about to rise on the drama of Georgie's married life.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
He was also the one and only personage in the drama, concentrating on himself the attention of the audience.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
The intensity of this drama, however, being interior, caused little outward disturbance that casual onlookers need have noticed.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
He being more musical, and a greater lover of the drama than I, arranged our visits to the theatres and concert halls.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow

British Dictionary definitions for drama

drama

/ (ˈdrɑːmə) /

noun

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

the genre of literature represented by works intended for the stage

the art of the writing and production of plays

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

Word Origin for drama

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

drama

Origin of drama

OTHER WORDS FROM drama

Words nearby drama

Words related to drama

How to use drama in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for drama

Word Origin for drama