dramatic
/drəˈmatɪk
/adjective
1 [attributive] Relating to drama or the performance or study of drama: the dramatic arts a dramatic society...
- No studies have assessed the impact of the dramatic society on the lives of its participants.
- How many people of working age, for instance, now join amateur dramatic societies, or sign up to be Girl Guide leaders?
- Instead, pop culture, European legends and dramatic arts are clearly traceable.
2(Of an event or circumstance) sudden and striking: a dramatic increase in recorded crime...
- Now this, I have to say, constitutes a hugely dramatic change in circumstances.
- We usually prefer gradual and mild change to sudden and dramatic change.
- The human capacity to adapt to dramatic changes in life circumstances is impressive.
Synonyms
considerable, substantial, sizeable, goodly, fair, reasonable, tidy, marked, pronounced;
noticeable, measurable, perceptible, conspicuous, obvious, detectable, visible, appreciable;
significant, striking, signal, notable, noteworthy, worthy of attention, remarkable, outstanding, extraordinary, exceptional, phenomenal;
important, of importance, of consequence, consequential
2.1Exciting or impressive: he recalled his dramatic escape from the building dramatic mountain peaks...
- Its cities are colourful and animated, its mountains dramatic and its hills verdant and tranquil.
- This final attempt to contain the leader is sometimes one of the most dramatic and exciting parts of the game.
- He will talk briefly on these too, with a backdrop of dramatic mountain scenery.
Synonyms
exciting, stirring, action-packed, sensational, spectacular, startling, unexpected, tense, suspenseful, rip-roaring, gripping, riveting, fascinating, thrilling, hair-raising, rousing, lively, animated, spirited, electrifying, impassioned, emotive, emotional, emotion-charged, moving, soul-stirring, powerful, heady
North American informal stem-winding
rare inspiriting, anthemic
striking, eye-catching, impressive, imposing, spectacular, breathtaking, dazzling, vivid, amazing, astounding, astonishing, surprising, staggering, stunning, sensational, awesome, awe-inspiring, remarkable, notable, noteworthy, distinctive, graphic, extraordinary, outstanding, incredible, phenomenal, unusual, rare, uncommon, out of the ordinary
2.2(Of a person or their behaviour) intending or intended to create an effect; theatrical: with a dramatic gesture, she put a hand to her brow...
- His technique and his dramatic personality made him by far the greatest dancer I had seen at that time.
- He is as dramatic as they come and a delight for journalists looking for good copy.
- Cavendish and her dramatic heroines alternately invite and reject the gaze of the other, of desire, and of the crowd.
Synonyms
theatrical, stage, dramaturgical, thespian;
show-business
informal showbiz
rare histrionic, theatric
exaggerated, theatrical, ostentatious, actressy, stagy, showy, melodramatic, overacted, overdone, overripe, actorly, histrionic, affected, mannered, artificial, stilted, unreal, forced
informal hammy, ham, campy
Origin
Late 16th century: via late Latin from Greek dramatikos, from drama, dramat- (see drama).