theatrical

[ thee-a-tri-kuhl ]

/ θiˈæ trɪ kəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR theatrical ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective Also the·at·ric.

of or relating to the theater or dramatic presentations: theatrical performances.

suggestive of the theater or of acting; artificial, pompous, spectacular, or extravagantly histrionic: a theatrical display of grief.

noun

theatricals,

dramatic performances, now especially as given by amateurs.
artificial or histrionic actions.

a professional actor: a family of renowned theatricals.

Nearby words

theatines, theatre, theatre of cruelty, theatre of the absurd, theatre-in-the-round, theatrical, theatrical film, theatricalism, theatricalize, theatricals, theatricism

Origin of theatrical

1550–60; < Late Latin theātric(us) < Greek theātrikós, equivalent to theā́tr(on) theater + -ikos -ic + -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR theatrical

2 exaggerated, melodramatic, stagy, extravagant.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR theatrical ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

the·at·ri·cal·i·ty

[thee-a-tri-kal-i-tee] /θiˌæ trɪˈkæl ɪ ti/, the·at·ri·cal·ness, nounthe·at·ri·cal·ly, adverbhalf-the·at·ri·cal, adjectivenon·the·at·ric, adjective

non·the·at·ri·cal, adjectivenon·the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverbo·ver·the·at·ri·cal, adjectiveo·ver·the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverbo·ver·the·at·ri·cal·ness, nounqua·si-the·at·ri·cal, adjectivequa·si-the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverbsem·i·the·at·ric, adjectivesem·i·the·at·ri·cal, adjectivesem·i·the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverbun·the·at·ric, adjectiveun·the·at·ri·cal, adjectiveun·the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for theatrical

In reality,” Francis said, “theatrical severity and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He approaches the composition of a painting rather as a theatrical director might set the scene of a play.
The Stacks: Edward Hopper’s X-Ray Vision|Hilton Kramer|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
No doubt Smith hopes to paint Glock as a monster once again, and the theatrical complaint pulls no punches.
Glock Family Goes Down, Guns Blazing|Brandy Zadrozny|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The classic comedy Ghostbusters is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a theatrical re-release over Labor Day weekend.
Viral Video of the Day: 'Ghostbusters' Gets the Lego Treatment|Alex Chancey|August 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

We all brought the same excitement about the theatrical element of it.
Kerry Washington’s Favorite ‘Scandal’ Season 3 Moments|Kerry Washington|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Apart from theatrical representations and gladiatorial combats, the Romans had an inordinate passion for chariot races.
Architecture|Thomas Roger Smith
There was often dryness in his handling, and something too much of the theatrical in his wrecks on rocky shores.
A Text-Book of the History of Painting|John C. Van Dyke
And they go about like theatrical managers, distributing parts to each other.
Plays by August Strindberg, Third Series|August Strindberg
It is the social lure as well as the theatrical appeal that brings the people there.
Europe After 8:15|H. L. Mencken, George Jean Nathan and Willard Huntington Wright
Matthew Carey introduced the third theatrical journal to the Philadelphians.
The Philadelphia Magazines and their Contributors 1741-1850|Albert Smyth

British Dictionary definitions for theatrical

theatrical

/ (θɪˈætrɪkəl) /

adjective

of or relating to the theatre or dramatic performances

exaggerated and affected in manner or behaviour; histrionic

Derived Forms

theatricality or theatricalness, nountheatrically, adverb

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