drama

[ drah-muh, dram-uh ]

noun

1. a composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue or pantomime a story involving conflict or contrast of character, especially one intended to be acted on the stage; a play.
2. the branch of literature having such compositions as its subject; dramatic art or representation.
3. the art dealing with the writing and production of plays.
4. any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results:

   the drama of a murder trial.

5. the quality of being dramatic.

drama

/ ˈdrɑːmə /

noun

1. a work to be performed by actors on stage, radio, or television; play
2. the genre of literature represented by works intended for the stage
3. the art of the writing and production of plays
4. a situation or sequence of events that is highly emotional, tragic, or turbulent

Other Words From

• mini·drama noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of drama¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Late Latin, from Greek drâma “action (of a play),” from drá(ein), drâ(n) “to act, do” + -ma, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of drama¹

C17: from Late Latin: a play, from Greek: something performed, from drān to do

Example Sentences

Born in New Jersey and raised in Florida, Gigi was a drama school nerd who turned to music when she realised she was "never going to be cast in the ingenue role".

From BBC

AMC Theatres, hip to the discourse surrounding "Wicked" fans' exuberance for singing along with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in packed theaters, and the annoyance expressed by others who paid good money to enjoy the songs from the film sung by the actors actually performing them, and not local drama nerds, have made effort to crack down on this carrying on.

From Salon

Even before the season started, they were embroiled in drama.

From BBC

In the Oscar-season premiere of The Envelope video podcast, “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo explains how she and the film’s creative team found the perfect Elphaba green and Saoirse Ronan discusses her two awards contenders, addiction drama “The Outrun” and World War II epic “Blitz.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s this epic World War II drama, and she plays a young mother struggling to reunite with her young son.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• comedy
• farce
• melodrama
• play
• production
• scene
• show
• theater
• tragedy