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 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 And the brand had barely won back goodwill before being embroiled in more drama that May, after a Black creator accused the company of prioritizing white creators with larger followings and disregarding her feelings while on a brand trip to Miami. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2024 But before Zone, the 45-year-old German actor was best known for playing famed anti-Nazi resistance fighter Georg Elser in 13 Minutes, Oliver Hirschbiegel’s 2015 drama about Elsner’s attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1939, before World War II and before the Holocaust. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 As on much of the album, Grande is self-aware enough to figure out her own role in the drama and adds a valuable touch to the song. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 The new campaign gets off to a bizarre start thanks to the relative lack of drama at the top of the grid. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 In a 2013 survey, it was voted the most memorable moment in a British drama, according to the Associated Press’ Jill Lawless. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 The contemplative, dreamy drama follows Adam (Andrew Scott), a gay man who shares a massive apartment complex with one other resident, Harry (Paul Mescal). Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 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 19 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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