adj

dramatic

druh-MA-tihk

adj

Sudden, striking, or intense in a way that grabs attention.

"There was a dramatic improvement in her health after the surgery."

"The sunset over the canyon was absolutely dramatic."

Relating to plays, theatre, or acting.

"He studied dramatic literature at university."

Prone to exaggerating emotions or reactions for effect.

"Don't be so dramatic — it's just a scratch."

How to Use Dramatic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "relating to theatre" or, more commonly, "strikingly noticeable" or "overly emotional."

Common pairings

a dramatic change dramatic effect dramatic irony

more dramatic comparative, most dramatic superlative

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There was a _____ improvement in her health after the surgery.

Borrowed from Ancient Greek drāmatikós, built from drāma ("a play") plus a suffix meaning "relating to."

static aquatic fanatic hepatic erratic lunatic aromatic ecstatic operatic climatic emphatic Adriatic