Dictionary
dramatic
adjective dra·mat·ic \drə-ˈma-tik\
: sudden and extreme
: greatly affecting people's emotions
: attracting attention : causing people to carefully listen, look, etc.
Full Definition of DRAMATIC
1
: of or relating to the drama <a dramatic actor>
2
a : suitable to or characteristic of the drama <a dramatic attempt to escape> b : striking in appearance or effect <a dramatic pause>
3
of an opera singer : having a powerful voice and a declamatory style — compare lyric
— dra·mat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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First Known Use of DRAMATIC
1589
Related to DRAMATIC
- Synonyms
- histrionic, melodramatic, operatic, stagy (or stagey), theatrical (also theatric)
- Antonyms
- undramatic
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Other Literature Terms
Rhymes with DRAMATIC
agnatic, aquatic, asthmatic, Carnatic, chromatic, climatic, comatic, dalmatic, dogmatic, ecstatic, emphatic, erratic, eustatic, fanatic, hepatic, judgmatic, komatik, lymphatic, magmatic, neumatic, phlegmatic, plasmatic, pneumatic, pragmatic, prismatic, protatic, quadratic, rheumatic, schematic, schismatic, sciatic, Socratic, somatic, spermatic, stigmatic, sylvatic, thematic, traumatic, villatic
DRAMATIC Defined for Kids
dramatic
adjective dra·mat·ic \drə-ˈma-tik\
Definition of DRAMATIC for Kids
1
: having to do with drama <a dramatic actor>
2
: attracting attention <He made a dramatic entrance.>
3
: sudden and extreme <a dramatic change>
— dra·mat·i·cal·ly \-ti-kə-lē\ adverb
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