# drama

/ˈdɹɑmə/ (US) · /dɹˈɑːmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drama
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. theatre and plays

noun · CEFR A2

plays in general, or the study of acting and theatre.

For teachers: theatrical plays as a genre of literature or performance art; often used to refer to the academic study of theatre.

- She decided to study drama at university because she loves performing on stage.
- The university's drama department is renowned for its experimental approach to classical Greek tragedies and modern physical theatre.

### 2. a serious story

noun · CEFR B1

a play, movie, or television show that is serious rather than funny.

For teachers: a specific work of fiction for stage, film, or television characterized by a serious tone and emotional depth.

- The new police drama on Channel 4 has become very popular this month.
- Critics praised the historical drama for its meticulous attention to period detail and its nuanced portrayal of political betrayal.

### 3. an exciting event

noun · CEFR B2

an exciting or emotional event in real life.

For teachers: a series of real-world events involving intense emotion, conflict, or unexpected results.

- There was a lot of drama at the airport when the flights were cancelled.
- The courtroom drama reached its peak when a surprise witness came forward with evidence that cleared the defendant's name.

### 4. social conflict

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal · Slang

unnecessary excitement, arguments, or problems between people.

For teachers: interpersonal conflict, gossip, or exaggerated emotional reactions, particularly within a social group or online community.

- I try to stay away from office drama and just focus on my work.
- The group chat was filled with drama after the weekend's misunderstanding, leading several members to leave the conversation entirely.

Teaching tip: In modern informal English, 'drama' often carries a negative connotation of being 'extra' or unnecessary.

## Examples

- The new hospital drama is very popular on TV.
- I don't want any more drama in my life, so I am staying away from their arguments.
- While the script was technically a drama, the director infused the performance with moments of levity to prevent the audience from becoming overwhelmed by the protagonist's tragic circumstances.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.