drama

noun

dra·​ma ˈdrä-mə How to pronounce drama (audio) ˈdra- How to pronounce drama (audio)
1
a
literature : a composition (see composition sense 5a) in verse or prose intended to portray life or character or to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions through action and dialogue and typically designed for theatrical performance : play compare closet drama
b
: a movie or television production with characteristics (such as conflict) of a serious play
broadly : a play, movie, or television production with a serious tone or subject
a police drama
2
literature : dramatic art, literature, or affairs
English drama
3
a
: a state, situation, or series of events involving interesting or intense conflict of forces
the drama of the past week
dealing with some family drama
b
: dramatic state, effect, or quality
the drama of the courtroom proceedings

Examples of drama in a Sentence

He is reading an ancient Greek drama. I prefer drama to comedy. His interest in drama began at a very young age. She studied drama in college. the dramas of teenage life She watched the drama unfold as they began screaming at each other. a competition full of drama the drama of the courtroom proceedings
Recent Examples on the Web Walsh appeared on an episode of The Doctors in 1968 and made his Broadway debut a year later in the drama Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 Coming back to the drama a little bit—I’m curious about, well, the petty crime, Colin. Hazlitt, 20 Mar. 2024 A lot of folks outside the UK might not have even heard there was anything fishy going on with the royals, other than the usual simmering drama of a family operating under a relentless media gaze. Allison Morrow, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 After studying drama at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Kilpatrick devoted her early career to the stage. Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 19 Mar. 2024 The drama is directed by Philip Martin, a British television director and screenwriter who worked on The Crown. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 These sophisticated eggs add drama to the tablescape without competing with a beautiful china pattern. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2024 Her inner life goes more or less ignored by the other characters, who are caught up in their own dramas. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 What saves this part of the campaign is the little dramas between the characters. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drama.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin dramat-, drama, from Greek, deed, drama, from dran to do, act

First Known Use

1515, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of drama was in 1515

Dictionary Entries Near drama

Cite this Entry

“Drama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drama. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

drama

noun
dra·​ma ˈdräm-ə How to pronounce drama (audio) ˈdram- How to pronounce drama (audio)
1
a
: a written work that tells a story through action and speech and is meant to be acted on a stage : play
b
: a play, movie, or television production with a serious tone or subject
2
: dramatic art, literature, or affairs
3
a
: an exciting event or series of events
the drama of the basketball playoffs
b
: dramatic effect or quality
used colored lighting for drama

More from Merriam-Webster on drama

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