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monodrama

American  
[mon-uh-drah-muh, -dram-uh] / ˈmɒn əˌdrɑ mə, -ˌdræm ə /

noun

  1. a dramatic piece for only one performer.


monodrama British  
/ ˈmɒnəʊˌdrɑːmə /

noun

  1. a play or other dramatic piece for a single performer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of monodrama

First recorded in 1785–95; mono- + drama

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.

See Examples For:

Sellars had long proposed the curious combining of Schoenberg’s “Erwartung,” a violently expressionist monodrama for soprano and large orchestra, with the last movement, “Abschied,” of Mahler’s song-symphony “Das Lied von der Erde.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 6, 2025

The newly commissioned work that followed was Kate Soper’s “Orpheus Orchestra Opus Onus,” a sensationally witty and profound monodrama about the meaning of music for amplified soprano and large orchestra.

From Los Angeles Times May 29, 2025

The one-act monodrama by composer Tom Cipullo is based on the life of the legendary singer and dancer Josephine Baker.

From Seattle Times Oct. 27, 2022

Short-Colomb, now 67, is not a professional actor, but the monodrama has become her megaphone for the personal impact of the tragedy.

From Washington Post Apr. 7, 2021

But before his Bells and Pomegranates were brought to a close Browning had discovered in the short monodrama, lyrical or reflective, the most appropriate vehicle for his powers of passion and of thought.

From Robert Browning by Dowden, Edward

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