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
- dramatically adverb
- nondramatic adjective
- overdramatic adjective
- predramatic adjective
- pseudodramatic adjective
- quasi-dramatic adjective
- semidramatic adjective
- undramatic adjective
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
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.
But try as I might to convince my aunt of this, she seemed to think I was being dramatic.
From Literature
“Do not be dramatic, Cassiopeia. Perhaps the gardener is on vacation. Ivy can grow very—ugh!—quickly.”
From Literature
Maggie’s dramatic romance and abandonment of mediumship made for great copy.
From Literature
Earlier that morning, Maya-Jade had been complaining about the boy to Vivian, rather theatrically, dramatic flair being something she’d inherited from her diva grandmother.
From Literature
Magic then recited the speech she had practiced with all the dramatic flair that Duane had attempted earlier.
From Literature
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.
