dramatics

American  

[druh-mat-iks] / drəˈmæt ɪks /

noun

1. (used with a singular or plural verb) the art of producing or acting dramas.

2. (used with a plural verb) dramatic productions, especially by amateurs.

3. (used with a plural verb) dramatic, overly emotional, or insincere behavior.

   His friends are tired of all his phony dramatics.

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dramatics British  

/ drəˈmætɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular or plural)

   1. the art of acting or producing plays

   2. dramatic productions

2. (usually functioning as plural) histrionic behaviour

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Etymology

Origin of dramatics

First recorded in 1675–85; see origin at dramatic, -ics

Example Sentences

This isn’t just teenage dramatics: Elephant seals don’t hunt or eat as they molt, so he’s hungry and tired and will sleep wherever he damn pleases.

From Salon • Jul. 7, 2026

That “rift” may have been mildly overcooked for TV dramatics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

That all changed last October when Freddie Freeman matched Gibson’s dramatics with a Game 1 grand slam to beat the New York Yankees.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2025

Hill explained his stepfather, Tony, had met his mother in an amateur dramatics group, and often wrote pantomimes and starred in them as the dame.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2025

Alex thought about Bri, how few scenes she made compared to Julie’s endless whining or Aunt Lorraine’s dramatics.

From "The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer