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

Since then, the team has mostly avoided arbitration dramatics.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

The highs, the lows, the dramatics, the desperation, it was all there when nothing was there, it was the feeling that even with everything gone, you still belonged to something.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 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