melodrama

noun

melo·​dra·​ma ˈme-lə-ˌdrä-mə 

-ˌdra-

1

a

: a work (such as a movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization

an actor with a flair for melodrama

b

: the genre (see genre sense 1) of dramatic literature constituted by such works

2

: something resembling a melodrama especially in having a sensational or theatrical quality

The trial turned into a melodrama.

melodramatist

ˌme-lə-ˈdra-mə-tist 

-ˈdrä-

noun

Examples of melodrama in a Sentence

Critics dismissed his work as melodrama.

an actor with a talent for melodrama

She is starring in another melodrama.

The trial turned into a melodrama.

a life full of melodrama

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, Dynevor and Ifans do their best to present these bursts of accidental melodrama in a straightforward manner. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025

During a run-through for one of the boat’s many melodramas, a Mississippi sheriff storms in, tipped off that Julie is secretly biracial. —Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025

As do Liverpool, content to keep racking up the points and avoid the kind of melodramas seen elsewhere. —Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025

The veteran action star is convincing and charismatic as a cop who quits the force to become a crusading Department of Justice prosecutor but is let down by a screenplay that’s prone to bouts of melodrama in and out of the courtroom. —Richard Kuipers, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of French mélodrame, from Greek melos song + French drame drama, from Late Latin drama

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

melodrama

noun

melo·​dra·​ma ˈmel-ə-ˌdräm-ə 

-ˌdram-

1

a

: a work (as a movie or play) marked by the exaggerated emotions of the characters and the importance of action and plot

b

: such works as a group

2

: melodramatic events or behavior