English Reference
Adjective

melodramatic

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌmɛɫədɹəˈmætɪk/ UK /mˌɛlədɹɐmˈætɪk/ melo·dra·mat·ic

adj.describing a situation or a person's behavior that is very emotional and exaggerated. It often feels fake or over-the-top, like a soap opera.

adj.characterised by exaggerated emotional expression or dramatic intensity. Often used to describe performances or situations that are perceived as artificial or overly sentimental.


SIMPLE

His reaction to the small problem was very melodramatic.

CONTEXTUAL

The film's melodramatic plot features a hero who must save his family from a burning mansion.

COMPLEX

While some critics praised the film's melodramatic style as a necessary emotional tool, others found the exaggerated dialogue to be a significant barrier to the story's realism.

Mandy by Barry Manilow is soppy, melodramatic, silly, and I absolutely love it.

The Guardian· 23 Aug 2026

From melodrama + -tic. Modelled after dramatic.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated