Dramatic

/drəˈmætɪk/

adjectivemedium🔥Very CommonArts
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Relating to or characteristic of drama; highly effective or striking.

/drəˈmætɪk/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Arts

Relating to drama or the performance of plays.

The actors gave a dramatic performance.

💡 Simply: It's like something is super exciting and full of twists and turns, like a movie or a play.

👶 For kids: Like a story or play with lots of exciting things happening!

More Examples

2

The building's architecture created a dramatic effect.

3

The sunset cast a dramatic light over the landscape.

How It's Used

Literary

"The novel features dramatic elements of suspense and intrigue."

Theatre

"The play was praised for its dramatic staging and costumes."

2

Sudden and striking; causing strong feelings.

/drəˈmætɪk/

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Sudden and striking or unexpected.

The economic downturn caused a dramatic drop in stock prices.

💡 Simply: When something happens suddenly and is very noticeable, like a big change.

👶 For kids: When something happens that is surprising and makes a big difference.

More Examples

2

The discovery of a new species of bird was a dramatic event.

3

Her illness caused a dramatic shift in her lifestyle.

How It's Used

News

"There was a dramatic increase in sales after the advertising campaign."

General

"The accident caused a dramatic change in his life."

Tip:Imagine a sudden, surprising change that grabs your attention.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

dramatic irony

A literary device where the audience knows something that the characters do not.

"In Romeo and Juliet, dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows Juliet is not dead, while Romeo does not."

From Late Latin dramaticus, from Greek dramatikos 'relating to drama,' from drama 'a play.'

Historically, 'dramatic' was closely associated with theatrical performances and the written word, and it has evolved to encompass broader meanings relating to sudden and powerful effects.

Memory tip

Think of a play: actors, scripts, emotions, action!

Word Origin

LanguageGreek
Original meaning

"relating to drama"

dramatic changedramatic effectdramatic increasedramatic performancedramatic tension

Common misspellings

drammaticdramatick

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written