dramatically

American

[druh-mat-ik-lee] / drəˈmæt ɪk li /

adverb

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

dramatic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )

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.

Home-insurance premiums can vary dramatically, depending on where you live: Crossing a county line can more than double the cost.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

"I have 42 years' service, so things have changed dramatically over the years," Godfrey said.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Now, almost four months later, the tables have turned dramatically.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Reality television production in Los Angeles continues to face major challenges, as the number of shoot days declined dramatically in the first three months of this year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

She smiled and dramatically bowed, which caused the laughter she’d been afraid of in the first place, but this time, she’d asked for it.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023