drama

noun

dra·​ma ˈdrä-mə  ˈdra- 

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

Synonyms of drama

• theater
• stage
• production
• dramatics
• entertainment
• acting
• theatrics
• theatricals

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

Peter Van Norden, who starred in the Police Academy and Naked Gun movies, as well as the Jodie Foster drama The Accused and the Stephen King TV miniseries The Stand, has died. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Chicago also has struggled mightily outside of a win against Phoenix this week and has been engulfed in drama around veteran guard Skylar Diggins, who sat out because of a knee injury. — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Running for five seasons into September 1977, the hourlong drama with comic elements never was a ratings hit, only denting the year-end primetime Top 30 once in the three-network universe. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 10 July 2026

What about newer formats like vertical dramas or microdramas? — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin drāmat-, drāma, borrowed from Greek drāmat-, drâma "deed, action, dramatic performance, play, dramatic event," from drā-, alternate stem of dráō, drân "to do, perform, accomplish, act" (of uncertain origin) + -mat-, -ma, resultative noun suffix

Note: In Indo-European terms, Greek dráō could be assigned to a present formation *dr̥h₂-i̯é- from a base *dreh₂- "do," but there are no recognizable cognates. Lithuanian darýti is more likely an iterative derivative from derė́ti "to be of use."

First Known Use

circa 1521, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing drama

• closet drama
• comedy drama
• costume drama
• drama queen
• high drama
• music drama

Rhymes for drama

• brahma
• chama
• comma
• dama
• gama
• lama
• llama
• mama
• mamma
• momma
• rama
• sama

Kids Definition

drama

noun

dra·​ma ˈdräm-ə  ˈdram- 

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