# dramatic

/dɹəˈmætɪk/ (US) · /dɹəmˈætɪk/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. sudden and striking

adjective · CEFR B2

sudden, exciting, and easy to notice.

For teachers: striking in appearance or effect; characterized by a sudden and significant change.

- There has been a dramatic increase in the price of food this year.
- The landscape underwent a dramatic transformation following the volcanic eruption, with once-lush valleys buried under meters of grey ash.

### 2. theatre and plays

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to plays, acting, or the theatre.

For teachers: pertaining to the drama or the performance of plays.

- She decided to join the local dramatic society to improve her acting.
- The university's dramatic arts department is renowned for its experimental productions of classical Greek tragedies.

### 3. exaggerated behavior

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

behaving in a way that makes things seem more exciting or serious than they really are.

For teachers: tending to react with exaggerated emotion or theatricality, often to gain attention.

- Stop being so dramatic; it is just a small scratch on the car.
- He has a tendency to be quite dramatic when things go wrong, often acting as if a minor inconvenience were a total catastrophe.

### 4. powerful singing voice

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

having a powerful and expressive voice, especially in opera.

For teachers: possessing a powerful, rich, and expressive singing voice suitable for intense operatic roles.

- The opera house is looking for a dramatic soprano for their new show.
- The role requires a dramatic tenor capable of projecting over a full Wagnerian orchestra without losing tonal clarity.

## Examples

- There has been a dramatic increase in prices this month.
- The movie ends with a dramatic chase through the city streets that keeps everyone watching closely.
- The landscape underwent a dramatic transformation following the volcanic eruption, with lush forests replaced by a stark, obsidian-colored wasteland within a matter of hours.

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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.