Dramatic: meaning, definitions and examples

🎭
Add to dictionary

dramatic

 

[ drəˈmatɪk ]

Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

acting or reacting with exaggerated emotion or behavior

Dramatic describes a person or situation that attracts a lot of attention because it is exciting, impressive, or full of action. It often involves intense emotions or exaggerated behaviors.

Synonyms

emotional, intense, theatrical

Examples of usage

  • She gave a dramatic performance on stage, capturing the audience's attention.
  • The dramatic rescue operation saved the trapped hikers in the mountains.
  • His dramatic reaction to the news startled everyone in the room.
Context #2 | Adjective

relating to drama or the performance of plays

In a theatrical context, dramatic refers to something related to or characteristic of drama. It can describe elements like plot twists, intense conflicts, or impactful scenes in a play or performance.

Synonyms

dramatic art, theatric, theatrical

Examples of usage

  • The dramatic climax of the play left the audience in awe.
  • Her dramatic flair for storytelling made her a captivating playwright.
  • The actor's dramatic delivery of lines brought the character to life on stage.
Context #3 | Adjective

of or relating to the study of drama and literature

When used academically, dramatic pertains to the analysis and interpretation of dramatic works such as plays, scripts, and literature. It involves the examination of themes, characters, and techniques used in dramatic storytelling.

Synonyms

literary, theatric, theatrical

Examples of usage

  • The students explored the dramatic structure of Shakespeare's plays in their literature class.
  • Her thesis focused on the dramatic impact of symbolism in modern drama.
  • The professor's lecture on dramatic theory shed light on the complexities of theatrical storytelling.

Translations

Translations of the word "dramatic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dramático

🇮🇳 नाटकीय

🇩🇪 dramatisch

🇮🇩 dramatis

🇺🇦 драматичний

🇵🇱 dramatyczny

🇯🇵 劇的 (げきてき)

🇫🇷 dramatique

🇪🇸 dramático

🇹🇷 dramatik

🇰🇷 극적인 (geukjeog-in)

🇸🇦 درامي

🇨🇿 dramatický

🇸🇰 dramatický

🇨🇳 戏剧性的 (xìjù xìng de)

🇸🇮 dramatičen

🇮🇸 dramatískur

🇰🇿 драмалық

🇬🇪 დრამატული

🇦🇿 dramaturjiya

🇲🇽 dramático

Etymology

The word 'dramatic' originated from the Greek word 'dramatikos', meaning 'pertaining to plays or drama'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century, initially used in the context of drama and theatrical performances. Over time, its usage expanded to describe intense emotions, exciting events, and exaggerated actions, reflecting its modern meanings related to exaggerated behavior or emotional intensity.

See also: dram, dramatically, dramatics, dramatist, dramatists, dramatized, dramaturges.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,231, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.