dramatically
Americanadverb
-
in a way that relates to plays or the theater; in or as a play.
The author's choice of words may imply that his text is to be read aloud or acted out dramatically.
-
in a way characteristic of or appropriate to the theater, especially in involving conflict, intense emotion, or exaggerated speech or action.
The speaker was quite a showman, first crouching behind the lectern, then rising up dramatically to demonstrate the rapid progress of some nations.
-
in a way that is typical of a play in form or structure.
The film is dramatically structured—not in its narrative form, but in the way it focuses on the faces, bodies, and voices of specific performers.
-
in a striking way; with a striking effect or to a striking degree.
During Hurricane Sandy, mobile internet usage spiked dramatically as people went online to get answers.
Her dark hat and scarf dramatically set off her pale and delicate features.
Usage
What does dramatically mean? Dramatically means done in a striking or theatrical way, as if acting. When used literally, dramatically is used when someone does something for the sake of a performance, as in a play. Drama describes the art of writing or producing a play, and something that is done dramatically is done in an effort to further that play. More often, the term dramatically is used figuratively to describe someone being overly flamboyant or petty. Someone who is acting dramatically may display their emotions for the sake of seeking attention or may respond in an argument with undue levels of anger or harshness. Example: The kids always act dramatically when I say we can’t have pizza for dinner.
Other Word Forms
- nondramatically adverb
- overdramatically adverb
- pseudodramatically adverb
- quasi-dramatically adverb
- semidramatically adverb
Etymology
Origin of dramatically
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.
The river flow has declined dramatically over the last quarter-century during a megadrought worsened by climate change.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
Even if a deal is reached that causes the conflict in Iran to dramatically de-escalate, there are doubts that oil prices will immediately revert lower.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
In a letter to its board of directors on Tuesday, Ackman said Universal had "dramatically underperformed" in several key US and world stock indexes.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
An extended agreement will dramatically increase AI-startup Anthropic’s use of Google’s TPUs for its Claude model next year.
From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026
“And you have to know it in here,” she adds, dramatically putting a hand over her heart.
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
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.
