drama

noun

dra·​ma ˈdrä-mə  ˈdra- 

1

a

literature : a composition (see composition sense 5a) in verse or prose intended to portray life or character or to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions through action and dialogue and typically designed for theatrical performance : play compare closet drama

b

: a movie or television production with characteristics (such as conflict) of a serious play

broadly : a play, movie, or television production with a serious tone or subject

a police drama

2

literature : dramatic art, literature, or affairs

English drama

3

a

: a state, situation, or series of events involving interesting or intense conflict of forces

the drama of the past week

dealing with some family drama

b

: dramatic state, effect, or quality

the drama of the courtroom proceedings

Synonyms

• dramatics
• stage
• theater
• theatre
• theatricals
• theatrics

Examples of drama in a Sentence

He is reading an ancient Greek drama.

I prefer drama to comedy.

His interest in drama began at a very young age.

She studied drama in college.

the dramas of teenage life

She watched the drama unfold as they began screaming at each other.

a competition full of drama

the drama of the courtroom proceedings

Recent Examples on the Web

More divisional drama awaits on Thursday, Dec. 12 when the Los Angeles Rams come to Levi’s Stadium, with the regular-season finale Jan. 5 or 6 in Arizona. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024

Simply by virtue of being an HBO drama with good viewership numbers, The Penguin is at least going to be in the awards conversation. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

Her directorial debut, the true-crime drama Woman of the Hour, debuted on Netflix in October, a proud moment for the star, who also has a lead role in the film. —Eric Andersson, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

More recently, the indie has been producing Apple TV+’s Emmy-winning drama Slow Horses; Netflix’s Heartstopper; Sweetpea, which launched recently on Sky in the UK and Starz in the U.S.; and One Life Coming up next year is Netflix drama Apple Cider Vinegar. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin drāmat-, drāma, borrowed from Greek drāmat-, drâma "deed, action, dramatic performance, play, dramatic event," from drā-, alternate stem of dráō, drân "to do, perform, accomplish, act" (of uncertain origin) + -mat-, -ma, resultative noun suffix

Note: In Indo-European terms, Greek dráō could be assigned to a present formation *dr̥h₂-i̯é- from a base *dreh₂- "do," but there are no recognizable cognates. Lithuanian darýti is more likely an iterative derivative from derė́ti "to be of use."

First Known Use

1515, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing drama

• closet drama
• comedy drama
• costume drama
• drama queen
• high drama
• music drama

Kids Definition

drama

noun

dra·​ma ˈdräm-ə  ˈdram- 

1

a

: a written work that tells a story through action and speech and is meant to be acted on a stage : play

b

: a play, movie, or television production with a serious tone or subject

2

: dramatic art, literature, or affairs

3

a

: an exciting event or series of events

the drama of the basketball playoffs

b

: dramatic effect or quality

used colored lighting for drama