dramatis personae

plural noun

dra·​ma·​tis per·​so·​nae ˌdra-mə-təs-pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē 

ˌdrä-,

-ˌnī

1

: the characters or actors in a drama

2

singular in construction : a list of the characters or actors in a drama

3

: people who figure prominently in something (such as an event)

Examples of dramatis personae in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among the complicated web of interrelated islanders, who are thankfully listed in the book’s dramatis personae, is Garrick Williams, the pompous local pastor who harbors a shameful secret. —Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2024

Its dramatis personae includes that paragon of English manhood, Ben Avery, the likable scoundrel Colonel Blood and, not least, Sheba, the ultrasexy pirate queen who, anachronistically, favors Gucci thigh-high boots. —Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023

And Jones too often clutters up scenes with body doubles mimicking motions of the dramatis personae. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 4 Aug. 2023

Compounding the uneasiness, the ensemble introduces the dramatis personae in strokes that can seem unnecessarily broad. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dramatis personae

plural noun

dra·​ma·​tis per·​so·​nae ˌdram-ət-əs-pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē 

ˌdräm-,

-ˌnī

: the characters or actors in a play

Etymology

modern Latin