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Melodramatic: meaning, definitions and examples

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melodramatic

 

[ ˌmɛl.oʊ.drəˈmætɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

emotional display

Melodramatic refers to a style of drama characterized by exaggerated emotions, sensational events, and an emphasis on theatricality. It often involves stereotypical characters and a focus on strong emotional appeals, which can sometimes come across as overly dramatic or exaggerated. This term is commonly used to describe performances, literature, or situations that evoke intense feelings and reactions.

Synonyms

exaggerated, overdramatic, sentimental, theatrical

Examples of usage

  • Her melodramatic speeches captivated the audience.
  • The movie was criticized for its melodramatic plot twists.
  • He has a tendency to be melodramatic when discussing his problems.

Translations

Translations of the word "melodramatic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 melodramático

🇮🇳 मेलोड्रामेटिक

🇩🇪 melodramatisch

🇮🇩 melodramatis

🇺🇦 мелодраматичний

🇵🇱 melodramatyczny

🇯🇵 メロドラマ的な

🇫🇷 mélodramatique

🇪🇸 melodramático

🇹🇷 melodramatik

🇰🇷 멜로드라마틱한

🇸🇦 ميلودرامي

🇨🇿 melodramatický

🇸🇰 melodramatický

🇨🇳 情节剧的

🇸🇮 melodramatičen

🇮🇸 melódramatískur

🇰🇿 мелодрамалық

🇬🇪 მელოდრამატული

🇦🇿 melodramatik

🇲🇽 melodramático

Etymology

The term 'melodramatic' originates from the late 18th century, deriving from 'melodrama,' which itself combines 'melos' (meaning song in Greek) and 'drama.' Originally, melodrama referred to a type of dramatic performance that included music to heighten emotional response. The combination of music with its sensational plots distinguished melodramatic works from traditional drama. The suffix '-ic' was added to form 'melodramatic' in the 19th century, and it came to describe not only theatrical works but also behaviors and expressions that are overly emotional or sensational. Over time, the term has evolved to be used beyond the theater, often in a pejorative sense to describe real-life situations that are seen as excessively dramatic or theatrical.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,942, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.