dramatically
gb/dɹəmˈætɪkli/ us/dɹəmˈætɪkli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
quantity
1
by a large amount
A lot; very much.
Usage pattern:
[something] increases/decreases/changes [dramatically]
Common mistake:
Often confused with drastically; dramatically can mean a big change without implying extreme measures or harsh effects.
Synonyms
significantly (More neutral and common in formal writing; less vivid.)
|
sharply (Often suggests a steep change, especially up/down.)
|
substantially (More formal; emphasizes size rather than impact.)
Antonyms
slightly (Indicates only a small amount of change.)
|
marginally (Very small change, often in data or results.)
Collocations
increase dramatically
|decrease dramatically
|fall dramatically
|rise dramatically
|drop dramatically
|improve dramatically
|reduce dramatically
|grow dramatically
|change dramatically
|decline dramatically
Themes
daily_life
|business
|news
|describing_change
Examples
- Sales increased dramatically after the new product launch.
- The number of errors dropped dramatically once the bug was fixed.
- Her mood improved dramatically over the weekend.
Learner examples
- My English got dramatically better this year.
- Prices fell dramatically last month.
adverb
B2
event
2
suddenly and strikingly
Suddenly and in an obvious way.
Usage pattern:
[something] changes/shift(s) [dramatically] (overnight/in minutes)
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use dramatically when they only mean quickly; it also suggests the change is noticeable or impressive.
Synonyms
suddenly (Focuses on speed, not necessarily impact.)
|
abruptly (Emphasizes suddenness, sometimes negative or unexpected.)
|
strikingly (Emphasizes how noticeable or impressive it is.)
Antonyms
gradually (Happening slowly over time.)
|
steadily (Changing slowly and consistently.)
Collocations
change dramatically overnight
|shift dramatically
|turn dramatically
|alter dramatically
|transform dramatically
|the situation changed dramatically
|conditions changed dramatically
|the weather changed dramatically
|events unfolded dramatically
|the tone changed dramatically
Themes
daily_life
|news
|weather
|describing_change
Examples
- The weather changed dramatically within an hour.
- The conversation shifted dramatically when she mentioned the lawsuit.
- The situation worsened dramatically after the power went out.
Learner examples
- The plan changed dramatically after the meeting.
adverb
C1
property
3
in a theatrical, emotional way
In a way that looks like acting; very emotional.
Usage pattern:
[someone] speak(s)/gesture(s)/react(s) [dramatically]
Common mistake:
Don’t use dramatically for normal emphasis (e.g., 'I dramatically like it'); it usually implies exaggeration or theatrical behavior.
Synonyms
theatrically (More direct: like an actor on stage.)
|
melodramatically (Suggests exaggerated emotion, often too much.)
|
grandly (Emphasizes a big, impressive style; less about emotion.)
Antonyms
calmly (Without strong emotion or performance.)
|
matter-of-factly (Plain and practical, without drama.)
Collocations
speak dramatically
|pause dramatically
|gesture dramatically
|react dramatically
|sigh dramatically
|declare dramatically
|announce dramatically
|roll (one's) eyes dramatically
|dramatically throw
|dramatically turn away
Themes
communication
|emotions
|entertainment
Examples
- He sighed dramatically and walked out of the room.
- She paused dramatically before revealing the winner.
- The child reacted dramatically when the toy broke.
Learner examples
- He spoke dramatically like an actor.
adverb
C1
event
4
with a dramatic effect
In an exciting or surprising way.
Usage pattern:
[something] end(s)/unfold(s)/play(s) out [dramatically]
Common mistake:
This sense is about creating tension or surprise, not necessarily about a large numerical change.
Synonyms
spectacularly (Focuses on being impressive to watch.)
|
excitingly (Focuses on emotional excitement, less on surprise.)
|
sensationally (Often suggests attention-grabbing, sometimes media-driven.)
Antonyms
anticlimactically (Ending in a disappointing, not-exciting way.)
|
uneventfully (Without anything exciting happening.)
Collocations
end dramatically
|unfold dramatically
|play out dramatically
|turn out dramatically
|finish dramatically
|escalate dramatically
|climax dramatically
|reveal dramatically
|dramatically lit
|dramatically framed
Themes
entertainment
|media
|storytelling
Examples
- The match ended dramatically with a goal in the final seconds.
- The trial unfolded dramatically as new evidence appeared.
- The film begins quietly but builds dramatically toward the end.
Learner examples
- The story ended dramatically.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dramatically
IPA
GB/dɹəmˈætɪkli/
US/dɹəmˈætɪkli/
Syllables & stress
dra - mat - ic - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mat)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dramatically
- Plural: dramaticallies
Word family
Expressions
change dramatically
1/t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ dɹəmˈætɪkli/
fixed phrase
change a lot, noticeably
To become very different.
Examples
- Our plans changed dramatically after we heard the news.
- The neighborhood has changed dramatically in the last ten years.
- His attitude changed dramatically once he understood the problem.
dramatically different
1/dɹəmˈætɪkli dˈɪfɹənt/
fixed phrase
very different from something
Not the same at all; very different.
Examples
- The new version is dramatically different from the old one.
- Her life looks dramatically different now that she works remotely.
- The two proposals are dramatically different in cost and risk.
dramatically opposed
1/dɹəmˈætɪkli əpˈoʊzd/
fixed phrase
formal
strongly contrasting or conflicting
Very different and not agreeing.
Examples
- Their views on immigration are dramatically opposed.
- The company’s short-term goals are dramatically opposed to its stated mission.
- The two witnesses offered dramatically opposed accounts of what happened.
rise dramatically
1/ɹˈaɪz dɹəmˈætɪkli/
fixed phrase
increase quickly by a lot
To go up a lot.
Examples
- House prices rose dramatically during the boom.
- Temperatures rose dramatically by midday.
- Costs can rise dramatically if you miss the deadline.