theatrical
Americanadjective
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of or relating to the theater or dramatic presentations.
theatrical performances.
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suggestive of the theater or of acting; artificial, pompous, spectacular, or extravagantly histrionic.
a theatrical display of grief.
- Synonyms:
- extravagant, stagy, melodramatic, exaggerated
noun
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theatricals,
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dramatic performances, now especially as given by amateurs.
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artificial or histrionic actions.
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a professional actor.
a family of renowned theatricals.
adjective
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of or relating to the theatre or dramatic performances
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exaggerated and affected in manner or behaviour; histrionic
Other Word Forms
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overtheatricalnessnoun
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theatricalitynoun
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theatricalnessnoun
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half-theatricaladjective
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nontheatricadjective
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nontheatricaladjective
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overtheatricaladjective
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quasi-theatricaladjective
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semitheatricadjective
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semitheatricaladjective
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untheatricadjective
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untheatricaladjective
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nontheatricallyadverb
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overtheatricallyadverb
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quasi-theatricallyadverb
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semitheatricallyadverb
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theatricallyadverb
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untheatricallyadverb
Etymology
Origin of theatrical
1550–60; < Late Latin theātric ( us ) < Greek theātrikós, equivalent to theā́tr ( on ) theater + -ikos -ic + -al 1
Explanation
If something happens on a stage, you can describe it as theatrical. Even reading a grocery list out loud can be theatrical, if you do it in dramatic voice with an audience watching. An actor who works on Broadway rather than in Hollywood is theatrical, and a play can be described as a theatrical production. If it happens in a theater, or is related to theater, it's theatrical. You can also use the adjective theatrical to talk about behavior that seems like it belongs on a stage, like a little boy's melodramatic weeping when he discovers a cheese sandwich in his lunch instead of peanut butter and jelly.
Vocabulary lists containing theatrical
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.
Backhaus, by contrast, works it all out for her audience in terms that might be hopeful but lack theatrical cogency,
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
With a theatrical flourish, Vance descended from the steps of Air Force Two, the vice presidential jet, and received a rapturous reception as he entered the event in a flag-draped airport hangar.
From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026
After its theatrical run, the Guardian will stream “NAZA” for free on its website.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
The states alleged that the deal would illegally consolidate markets including those for theatrical films and basic cable channels.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Once aboard, he secured a window seat so he could continue to wave many highly theatrical farewells to Penelope and the children.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
