theatrical

[thee-a-tri-kuh l]

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,
1. dramatic performances, now especially as given by amateurs.
2. artificial or histrionic actions.
a professional actor: a family of renowned theatricals.

Origin of theatrical

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

Related formsthe·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, adjectivenon·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

Synonyms

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2. exaggerated, melodramatic, stagy, extravagant.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for theatrical

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples

There had already been an attempt at theatrical exhibitions.
Old News
Nathaniel Hawthorne
This caused quite a sensation in the artistic world and in theatrical circles.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
I was nervous, sensational, and theatrical without intending it.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
Our theatrical company, of which you must have heard, leave us this week.
The Letters of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
They were giving him a theatrical performance for a birthday present.
The Chinese Fairy Book
Various

British Dictionary definitions for theatrical

theatrical

adjective

of or relating to the theatre or dramatic performances
exaggerated and affected in manner or behaviour; histrionic

Derived Formstheatricality 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

Word Origin and History for theatrical

adj.

1550s, "pertaining to the theater," from theater + -ical. Sense of "stagy, histrionic" is attested from 1709.

theatrical

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}theatrical

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for theatrical

Contemporary Examples

In reality,” Francis said, “theatrical severity and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity.

He approaches the composition of a painting rather as a theatrical director might set the scene of a play.

No doubt Smith hopes to paint Glock as a monster once again, and the theatrical complaint pulls no punches.

The classic comedy Ghostbusters is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a theatrical re-release over Labor Day weekend.

We all brought the same excitement about the theatrical element of it.

Historical Examples

There had already been an attempt at theatrical exhibitions.

This caused quite a sensation in the artistic world and in theatrical circles.

I was nervous, sensational, and theatrical without intending it.

Our theatrical company, of which you must have heard, leave us this week.

They were giving him a theatrical performance for a birthday present.

theatrical

Word Origin and History for theatrical

adj.

Origin of theatrical