melodramatic
Americanadjective
-
of, like, or befitting melodrama.
-
exaggerated and emotional or sentimental; sensational or sensationalized; overdramatic.
noun
Other Word Forms
- melodramatically adverb
- nonmelodramatic adjective
- nonmelodramatically adverb
- unmelodramatic adjective
- unmelodramatically adverb
Etymology
Origin of melodramatic
First recorded in 1810–20; melodrama + (drama)tic
Explanation
If you're writhing on the floor, howling in pain over the splinter in your finger, you're being a tad melodramatic, that is, exaggerated, affected, or histrionic. This term was first used in early-19th-century theater, as the adjective form of the noun melodrama, which is a performance piece featuring exaggerated characters with emotional appeal. Outside the theater, melodramatic behavior is also characterized by a kind of performance or exaggeration of emotions, but it's very rarely appreciated or awarded extra points for artistic merit. The common phrase "Quit being so melodramatic!" is a terse way of pointing out to someone that they are overreacting.
Vocabulary lists containing melodramatic
100 SAT Words Beginning with "M"
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 5
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Tone and Point of View, List 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Chimpanzees are sort of melodramatic," he said, explaining that following arguments there would ordinarily be "screaming and chasing" and then later, they would grooming and co-operating.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
A more melodramatic version of the story, it still retained Hailey's structure and much of his dialogue.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
There’s nothing sort of overly melodramatic or cathartic about it.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026
Mr. Desplechin takes a quick-cutting, kaleidoscopic approach to this domestic epic, and evokes in richly melodramatic style the feeling of passing the holidays with extended family.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025
“I want to sleep,” he said, with a melodramatic roll of his eye, “‘dormir plutôt que vivre’!”
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
