melodrama
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
behavior or a situation that is much more emotional or dramatic than it needs to be.
behavior or events characterized by an excessive or artificial display of emotion, often perceived as insincere or unnecessary.
Simple“We just had a small disagreement, so please stop all the melodrama.”
In context“The office was full of unnecessary melodrama after the manager announced a minor change to the seating chart.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
a type of play or film with exciting events and characters who show very strong, simple feelings.
a dramatic form that emphasizes sensational plot points and stereotypical characters over complex character development.
Simple“The old movie was a classic melodrama where the hero saves the day at the last second.”
In context“Victorian melodrama often relied on clear moral distinctions between the virtuous protagonist and the irredeemable villain.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a historical style of play where music was played to make the scenes feel more emotional.
a historical performance style featuring spoken text accompanied by orchestral music intended to heighten the emotional impact.
Simple“In the 18th century, melodrama used music to tell the audience how to feel.”
In context“The composer experimented with melodrama, integrating spoken dialogue into the symphonic structure to intensify the protagonist's monologue.”
“But the narrative simplicity that once made room for electric chemistry between leads, perfectly tailored wardrobes and irresistibly depicted locales has given way to cheap melodrama.”
From French mélodrame, the second element refashioned by analogy with drama; ultimately from Ancient Greek μέλος (mélos, “limb”, “member”, “song”, “tune”, “melody”) + δρᾶμα (drâma, “deed”, “theatrical act”). Compare melodrame. Cognate to German Melodram and Spanish melodrama.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.