dramatic English · revision 5410

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1589|origins=grc δρᾶμα}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /drəˈmæt.ɪk/, US /drəˈmæt̬.ɪk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|drāmaticus]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) from Greek dramatikós “pertaining to plays”, from [[grc|δρᾶμα|tr=drâma]], genitive drámatos.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) It is related to [[drama]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of or relating to acted drama: 1589 in the OED, the 1580s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Full of action and striking display, fit for a drama, is from 1725.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) As a noun, a dramatic poet, it was used from 1646 but is obsolete,^(OED 1989) and ''dramatics'', dramatic works or performances, is from 1684.^(OED 1989) ''Dramatic irony'', understood by the audience but not by the characters, is recorded from 1907.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1589 – of drama.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1646 – noun, a dramatist (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1725 – striking.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1907 – ''dramatic irony''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Sudden and striking; very noticeable: ''a dramatic change''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to [[drama]] or the [[theatre]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Full of emotion or action, like a play.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Exaggerated, as if acting.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(music)'' Of a singing voice, powerful and expressive.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dramatically]]

+ * [[nondramatic]]

+ * [[overdramatic]]

+ * [[pseudodramatic]]

+ * [[semidramatic]]

+ * [[undramatic]]

+ * [[dramatic irony]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[drama]]

+ * [[dramatize]]

+ * [[dramatist]]

+ * [[melodramatic]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Dramatic, histrionic, melodramatic, stagy and theatrical all suggest acting or an emotional, often affected stage performance.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}