dramatic
- 1Striking in appearance or effect, and noticeable enough to make a strong impression.
The cliffs rose in a dramatic line against the gray morning sky.
The company reported a dramatic rise in profits this quarter.
Similarstriking, spectacular, impressive, remarkable, marked
Oppositeslight, modest, subtle
Note
The theater's word turned loose on the world: what was staged to strike an audience became anything that strikes. In news and policy writing it most often measures change, as in dramatic gains, a dramatic cut or a dramatic rise. There it means large and sudden rather than theatrical, as when The Economist in 2013 credits Poland with dramatic gains in education. Unlike the theatrical meaning, it grades freely: more dramatic, most dramatic.
- 2Inclined to exaggerate feelings or reactions in order to draw attention.
She can be dramatic, turning a minor delay into a full-blown crisis.
Their dramatic response to the small mistake made everyone roll their eyes.
Similarmelodramatic, theatrical, histrionic, overemotional
Oppositecalm, restrained, understated
- 3Relating to drama, or to the writing and performing of plays.
The festival celebrates dramatic works from across the past century.
Her dramatic training included voice, movement, and improvisation.
Similartheatrical, thespian
Note
Here the word stays closest to its Greek source: dramatikós, from drâma, "play," and behind that dráō, "I do." A play is, at bottom, a thing done. In this use the adjective sorts rather than praises. Dramatic music, dramatic works and dramatic training name a kind, as when the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica sets dramatic music against choral music. The judging uses, like the "striking" meaning, grew from this one.
- 4Having a powerful, expressive singing voice, especially one suited to forceful, intense roles.
The role calls for a dramatic soprano who can soar above the full orchestra.
His dramatic baritone gave the villain a genuinely menacing presence.
Oppositelyric
Practice
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Origin
From Ancient Greek δραματικός (dramatikós), from δρᾶμα (drâma, 'drama, play'), which in turn came from δράω (dráō, 'I do, accomplish'). It can be seen as drama plus the suffix -tic.