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.
Anderson's attitude and determination stood out as he excelled at Bristol Rovers - ending in a dramatic climax to the season.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026
The research, published in Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, suggests that New Zealand's wildlife was already undergoing dramatic changes long before human settlement.
From Science Daily • Jun. 23, 2026
While he isn’t expecting a dramatic plunge in home prices, sales even at 5% discounts can reflect a less robust economic backdrop without the artificial-intelligence spending boom, he said.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 22, 2026
The uber-plush Burgenstock resort perched high above Switzerland's Lake Lucerne -- the dramatic setting for Sunday's US-Iran talks -- is well-accustomed to hosting world leaders, movie icons and peace negotiations.
From Barron's • Jun. 21, 2026
Their raft bumped against the shore and Gingersnipes collapsed with a dramatic flourish.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
