dramatic

adjective

dra·​mat·​ic drə-ˈma-tik 

1

literature : of or relating to drama

a dramatic actor

… has earned three Oscar nominations for his dramatic roles …

—Nellie Andreeva

… offers an outstanding vocal and dramatic performance …

—Alison Norton

2

a

: suitable to or characteristic of drama (as in being very exciting or moving)

a dramatic story

a dramatic attempt to escape

a dramatic comeback

b

: sudden and extreme

a dramatic increase/decrease in sales

a dramatic improvement

The changes have had a dramatic impact.

c

: striking in appearance or effect

The speaker made a dramatic pause before the big announcement.

… made a dramatic entrance … in a larger-than-life princess ballgown that encompassed the red carpet.

—Alyssa Morin

d

: having or showing a tendency to behave or react in an exaggerated way

a dramatic sigh

'This is the most beautiful place in the world,' I gasped. 'You're so dramatic, Jessica,' he said, laughing.

—Jessica Fox

I started to think, "What if people aren't interested in me, or us, by the end of this pandemic? What am I going to do for the rest of my life?" I don't know why I thought like that. Now that I think about it, I'm so dramatic.

—Roseanne Chaeyoung Park

3

of an opera singer : having a powerful voice and a declamatory style compare lyric

dramatically

drə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• histrionic
• melodramatic
• operatic
• stagy
• stagey
• theatrical
• theatric

Choose the Right Synonym for dramatic

dramatic, theatrical, histrionic, melodramatic mean having a character or an effect like that of acted plays.

dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply.

a dramatic meeting of world leaders

theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression.

a theatrical oration

histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess.

a histrionic show of grief

melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism.

made a melodramatic plea

Examples of dramatic in a Sentence

His parents noticed a dramatic change in his behavior.

There was a dramatic increase in prices.

The book tells the dramatic story of her battle with cancer.

She made a dramatic entrance wearing a bright red dress.

There was a dramatic pause before his big announcement.

The painter used dramatic colors.

They are members of the local dramatic society.

Recent Examples on the Web

That would add another dramatic twist to a story that is full of surprises. —John Brandon, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Yet on Friday, Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan president who has overseen his country’s dramatic decline — including runaway inflation, blackouts, hunger, mass migration and the unraveling of the nation’s democracy — was sworn in for a third term in office. —Julie Turkewitz, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Barring a dramatic turn of the weather, the national semifinal game between Ohio State and Texas will start on time, according to the Cotton Bowl. —Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan. 2025

To be exact, days ago Erivo donned a dramatic V-neck gown by Louis Vuitton to a press event in black and white. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin drāmaticus, borrowed from Greek drāmatikós, from drāmat-, drâma "deed, action, drama" + -ikos -ic entry 1

Note: Compare Middle French dragmatique, dramatique "(of a literary genre) addressing the reader by means of characters rather than through an authorial voice."

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dramatic

• amateur dramatic
• dramatic irony
• dramatic monologue
• dramatic unities

Kids Definition

dramatic

adjective

dra·​mat·​ic drə-ˈmat-ik 

1

: of or relating to drama

a dramatic actor

2

a

: suitable to or resembling that of drama

a dramatic escape

b

: attracting attention

made a dramatic entrance

dramatically

-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb