adj
Uncommon
theatrical
thee-AT-rih-kuhl
Theatrical (adj) means relating to theater or stage performance. Example: “The company is known for its ambitious theatrical productions.”
adj
1
Relating to theater or stage performance.
"The company is known for its ambitious theatrical productions."
"She studied theatrical design and now builds sets for the local playhouse."
"The old building has a long theatrical history, full of plays and musicals."
2
Exaggerated or overly dramatic, as if performing.
"He gave a theatrical sigh before answering."
"He made a theatrical bow, even though he had only passed the salt."
"Stop being so theatrical; it is only a small scratch."
How to use theatrical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "related to plays and performance" or, informally, "overdramatic."
Common pairings
theatrical performance
theatrical gesture
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Word forms
- Plural
- theatricals
- Comparative
- more theatrical
- Superlative
- most theatrical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company is known for its ambitious _____ productions.
Etymology
From Latin theatricus, ultimately from Greek théatron.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
untheatrical
Related words
Rhymes for theatrical
See all rhymes for theatrical →Frequently asked questions
What does “theatrical” mean?
The word “theatrical” means relating to theater or stage performance. In plain terms, either "related to plays and performance" or, informally, "overdramatic.".
How do you pronounce “theatrical”?
“Theatrical” is pronounced thee-AT-rih-kuhl (/θiˈætɹɪkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “theatrical” in a sentence?
Here is “theatrical” used in a sentence: “The company is known for its ambitious theatrical productions.”
What part of speech is “theatrical”?
“Theatrical” is an adjective.
Where does the word “theatrical” come from?
The word “theatrical” comes from Latin. From Latin theatricus, ultimately from Greek théatron.
Is “theatrical” a common word?
“Theatrical” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “theatrical” have?
“Theatrical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to theater or stage performance.
What is the difference between theatrical and dramatic?
"Theatrical" specifically relates to theatre or stage performance, or describes behaviour that's exaggerated as if performing on stage, while "dramatic" more broadly describes anything intense, striking, or emotionally heightened, whether or not it relates to actual theatre. All theatrical behaviour is dramatic, but not everything dramatic is theatrical.
What does it mean to call someone's behaviour "theatrical"?
Calling someone's behaviour theatrical means it's exaggerated or overly dramatic, as if they were performing for an audience rather than acting naturally. It's often used slightly critically, suggesting the person is putting on a show rather than expressing genuine emotion.
What is a "theatrical release" of a film?
A theatrical release refers to a film being shown in cinemas, drawing on the "theatre" or performance-venue sense of "theatrical," as distinct from a release direct to streaming or home video. This usage builds on the word's connection to public performance venues.
