dramatic
gb/dɹəmˈætɪk/ us/dɹəmˈætɪk/
B1
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Exciting or emotionally striking
Very exciting or full of strong feeling; likely to get attention.
Usage pattern:
a dramatic [change/event/scene]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dramatic' with 'theatrical' when describing real events; 'dramatic' can be literal for big changes, not only about acting.
Synonyms
striking (Focuses on being very noticeable or impressive rather than emotional.)
Antonyms
ordinary (Lacking anything exciting or emotionally powerful.)
Collocations
dramatic change
|dramatic effect
|dramatic improvement
|dramatic scene
|dramatic increase
Themes
emotions
|arts
|communication
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The play ended with a dramatic twist that no one expected.
- There has been a dramatic improvement in her health.
- The mountain offers a dramatic view of the valley.
Learner examples
- The movie had a dramatic ending.
- We saw a dramatic change in the weather.
- Her dress was very dramatic and beautiful.
adjective
B1
property
2
Exaggerated like in theater
Acting or speaking in a way that is bigger and more emotional than normal, like in a play.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is being dramatic
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'dramatic' for any strong emotion; it specifically implies exaggeration or performance-like behavior.
Synonyms
theatrical (Specifically connected to acting and stage performance, but can also describe exaggerated behavior.)
Antonyms
understated (Expressed in a quiet and simple way without exaggeration.)
Collocations
being dramatic
|overly dramatic
|sound dramatic
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Stop being so dramatic; it’s just a small scratch.
- He told the story in a very dramatic way, waving his arms for emphasis.
- She tends to be dramatic about minor issues.
Learner examples
- Don't be so dramatic.
- He is dramatic when he talks about his job.
- She made a dramatic face when she saw the bill.
adjective
B2
property
3
Related to drama or plays
About plays, acting, or drama as art.
Usage pattern:
dramatic [arts/performance/script]
Synonyms
theatrical (Directly refers to theater and stage acting; overlaps strongly with this meaning.)
Antonyms
non-dramatic (Not related to drama or plays.)
Collocations
dramatic arts
|dramatic performance
|dramatic monologue
Themes
arts
|arts_entertainment
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She studied dramatic literature at university.
- The festival features several dramatic performances.
- He has a background in the dramatic arts.
Learner examples
- I like dramatic plays.
- She is a dramatic actor.
- He studies dramatic writing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dramatic
IPA
GB/dɹəmˈætɪk/
US/dɹəmˈætɪk/
Syllables & stress
dra - mat - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mat)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: dramatic
Word family
Core family
drama
noun B1
dramatically
adverb B2
Related words
dramatize
verb
dramatization
noun
Negative and opposite forms
undramatic
adjective
Advanced or less common
dramatist
noun C1
melodramatic
adjective
Expressions
make a dramatic entrance
1/mˈeɪk ə dɹəmˈætɪk ˈɛntɹəns/
fixed phrase
Arrive in an attention-grabbing way
To come into a place in a way that makes many people look at you.
Examples
- She made a dramatic entrance, wearing a bright red dress.
- The actor made a dramatic entrance onto the stage.
nothing short of dramatic
1/nˈʌθɪŋ ʃˈɔɹt əv dɹəmˈætɪk/
fixed phrase
Extremely impressive or significant
Used to say something is very big, important, or surprising.
Examples
- The change in his health was nothing short of dramatic.
- Her performance was nothing short of dramatic.