Overacting: meaning, definitions and examples
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overacting
[ ˌoʊvərˈæktɪŋ ]
theater performance
Overacting refers to exaggerated and theatrical performances that detract from the believability of a character. It often occurs when an actor uses excessive emotional expression or gestures, which can make the performance seem unrealistic.
Synonyms
exaggeration, histrionics, melodrama
Examples of usage
- The actor's overacting made the scene less believable.
- In a comedy, overacting can sometimes enhance the humor.
- She was criticized for her overacting during the dramatic scene.
Translations
Translations of the word "overacting" in other languages:
🇵🇹 exagero
🇮🇳 अधिक अभिनय
🇩🇪 Übertreibung
🇮🇩 berlebihan
🇺🇦 перебільшення
🇵🇱 przesada
🇯🇵 オーバーアクティング
🇫🇷 surjeu
🇪🇸 sobreactuación
🇹🇷 abartma
🇰🇷 오버연기
🇸🇦 مبالغة
🇨🇿 přehánění
🇸🇰 preháňanie
🇨🇳 过度表演
🇸🇮 pretiravanje
🇮🇸 ofurð
🇰🇿 артық әрекет
🇬🇪 გადასაყვანი
🇦🇿 həddindən artıq ifa
🇲🇽 sobreactuación
Word origin
The word 'overacting' combines the prefix 'over-' meaning excessive or beyond normal limits, with the verb 'acting,' which originates from the Latin 'agere,' meaning to do or perform. Initially, 'acting' in the dramatic sense described the portrayal of characters in theater, stemming from the tradition of classical drama. Over time, as theater evolved, the term 'overacting' emerged to describe instances where performers would engage in behaviors that were seen as excessive or not in line with the subtleties of genuine human emotion. This term became especially relevant with the rise of film and television, where realism in acting began to be valued more, leading to greater differentiation between authentic performances and those perceived as overly dramatic or exaggerated.