dramatic
druh-MA-tihk
Dramatic (adj) means Sudden, striking, or intense in a way that grabs attention. Example: “There was a dramatic improvement in her health after the surgery.”
adj
1
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."
"The weather took a dramatic turn when dark clouds suddenly rolled in."
2
Relating to plays, theatre, or acting.
"He studied dramatic literature at university."
"The drama club performed a dramatic reading of the poem on stage."
"Her dramatic training included voice lessons and years of practice in front of an audience."
3
Prone to exaggerating emotions or reactions for effect.
"Don't be so dramatic — it's just a scratch."
"My little brother gets so dramatic whenever he loses a board game."
"Stop being dramatic; the bus is only five minutes late."
How to use dramatic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "relating to theatre" or, more commonly, "strikingly noticeable" or "overly emotional."
Common pairings
a dramatic change
dramatic effect
dramatic irony
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more dramatic
- Superlative
- most dramatic
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There was a _____ improvement in her health after the surgery.
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek drāmatikós, built from drāma ("a play") plus a suffix meaning "relating to."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
lyric
undramatic
Related words
Rhymes for dramatic
See all rhymes for dramatic →Frequently asked questions
What does “dramatic” mean?
The word “dramatic” means sudden, striking, or intense in a way that grabs attention. In plain terms, either "relating to theatre" or, more commonly, "strikingly noticeable" or "overly emotional.".
How do you pronounce “dramatic”?
“Dramatic” is pronounced druh-MA-tihk (/dɹəˈmætɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “dramatic” in a sentence?
Here is “dramatic” used in a sentence: “There was a dramatic improvement in her health after the surgery.”
What part of speech is “dramatic”?
“Dramatic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dramatic” come from?
The word “dramatic” comes from Ancient Greek. Borrowed from Ancient Greek drāmatikós, built from drāma ("a play") plus a suffix meaning "relating to.".
Is “dramatic” a common word?
“Dramatic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “dramatic” have?
“Dramatic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: sudden, striking, or intense in a way that grabs attention.
What is the difference between dramatic and drastic?
Dramatic describes something sudden and striking that grabs attention — a dramatic sunset or a dramatic improvement. Drastic describes something extreme and severe, usually an action taken to fix a problem, like drastic cuts or drastic measures. Dramatic emphasizes the impressive effect; drastic emphasizes how far-reaching and harsh the step is.
Is dramatic a positive or negative word?
It is neutral and depends on context. A dramatic improvement or a dramatic view is impressive and positive. Calling a person dramatic, however, often criticizes them for overreacting or exaggerating for effect. The core idea — sudden, intense, and attention-grabbing — can be admired or disapproved of depending on the situation.
What is an example of dramatic used in a sentence?
You might say, 'There was a dramatic drop in temperature overnight,' or 'She made a dramatic entrance in a bright red coat.' Both describe something sudden and striking enough to grab attention. The word suits big changes, bold gestures, and vivid scenes that stand out sharply from what came before.
What is the difference between dramatic and theatrical?
Both suggest a strong, attention-grabbing effect, but theatrical ties more directly to the theatre and performance, often implying deliberate, exaggerated display. Dramatic can describe genuine, natural events — a dramatic storm — as well as staged ones. Theatrical almost always hints that something is being performed or overplayed.
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