dramatization

American  

[dram-uh-tuh-zay-shuhn, drah-muh-] / ˌdræm ə təˈzeɪ ʃən, ˌdrɑ mə- /

noun

• dramatizations
  plural

1. the act of dramatizing.

2. construction or representation in dramatic form.

3. a dramatized version of a novel, historic incident, etc.

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dramatization British  

/ dræmətaɪzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the reconstruction of an event, novel, story, etc in a form suitable for dramatic presentation

2. the art or act of dramatizing

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dramatizations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of dramatization

First recorded in 1790–1800; dramatize + -ation

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Explanation

A dramatization is the acting out of something. You see these a lot in documentaries. For example, there could be a dramatization of the JFK assassination, using actors to show what happened on that fateful day. If you watch a lot of true-crime shows, you probably regularly see dramatizations of dastardly deeds. Dramatization can also mean turning a novel into a movie or a play. Dramatization is a great way to cement learning. If you and your friends write a skit in biology class to show how photosynthesis works, you are much more likely to remember the process by which plants convert light into energy.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dramatization dramatizations

But the film mistakes a chapter for the whole story, and a dramatization for the record.

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026

The actor stars in Paul Greengrass’s prosaic dramatization of the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt in England.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Although the movie is a Hollywood dramatization of what actually happened during the 2008 financial crisis, Saluzzi made an analogy to this scene and said it may be how financial institutions are now thinking.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 11, 2025

A distressing docufiction, the film is a candid dramatization of her emergency phone calls.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2025

The dramatization of slavery never failed intensely to arouse Negroes hearing its honors spelled out for the first time.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

The Menendez case has regained public attention through recent documentaries and dramatizations, including the Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.”

From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2025

She won’t grumble either about the incessant chatter surrounding the series’ dramatizations, which in 2022 culminated in her longtime friend Judi Dench issuing scathing criticism of the series as “crude sensationalism” and “cruelly unjust.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2024

Stories like these were once conveyed through re-enactments, dramatizations and interviews with police officers, journalists, medical professionals, family and friends.

From New York Times ● Jan. 25, 2024

Anyone who has watched the many dramatizations of the queen’s life — including “The Crown” — or the coverage of her death is already well-versed in the problems of always maintaining a stiff upper lip.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 13, 2022

Another reporter inquired whether there should be a law against similar radio dramatizations.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow

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