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 See More
Recent Examples on the Web The historical drama stars Emmy-winner Ben Mendelsohn as designer Christian Dior and Oscar-winner Juliette Binoche as Dior’s Nazi-era rival designer, Coco Chanel. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Nov. 2023 In the latest installment of the Netflix real estate drama, fans watched tensions boil between Oppenheim’s exes after Nurk accused Stause during a discussion at a restaurant of potentially still having feelings for her boyfriend — a sentiment Stause disagreed with before abruptly leaving the table. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023 During Season 10 of the drama, Jesse Spencer, who portrayed Brett’s boyfriend, Matt Casey, left the show. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023 Founded in 2017 by former Channel 4 head of drama Liza Marshall, Hera Pictures had as its first drama Temple, an eight-part series that starred Mark Strong. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Nov. 2023 Landing a role on Young Royals, the coming of age drama that debuted on Netflix in 2021, took him to the next level, including getting signed by Next Models. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023 But the Diana of Season 5 was also manipulative, and addicted to the attention and the drama that once had been so undesirable to her. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2023 There are emotional spikes tied to big revelations and jousting on the stand, but mostly this isn’t a conventional courtroom drama. Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023 Answer: Nothing but the self-defeating Republican drama. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 14 Nov. 2023 See More

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 29 Nov. 2023.

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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