theatrical

1 of 2

adjective

the·​at·​ri·​cal thē-ˈa-tri-kəl 

variants or less commonly theatric

thē-ˈa-trik 

1

a

: of or relating to the theater or the presentation of plays

a theatrical costume

a theatrical troupe

a powerful theatrical performance

b

: of, relating to, or occurring in a movie theater

the theatrical release of a new film

"Give Me Liberty," the Milwaukee-made movie that received good notices at this year's Sundance Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival, will come home for its U.S. theatrical premiere, Aug. 22 at the Oriental Theatre.

—Chris Foran

2

: having qualities suggestive of a stage play or of an actor's performance : deliberately or exaggeratedly dramatic or emotional : histrionic

a theatrical gesture

a theatrical way of speaking

… pulls an enormous handkerchief from the inside breast pocket of his jacket and opens it with a theatrical flourish …

—Robert Little

theatricalism

thē-ˈa-tri-kə-ˌli-zəm 

noun

theatricality

thē-ˌa-trə-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

theatrically

thē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

theatrical

2 of 2

noun

1

theatricals plural

a

: the performance of plays

b

: dramatics

2

British : a professional actor

3

theatricals plural : showy or extravagant gestures

Synonyms

Adjective

• dramatic
• hammy
• histrionic
• melodramatic
• stagy
• stagey

Noun

• drama
• dramatics
• stage
• theater
• theatre
• theatrics

Choose the Right Synonym for theatrical

dramatic, theatrical, histrionic, melodramatic mean having a character or an effect like that of acted plays.

dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply.

a dramatic meeting of world leaders

theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression.

a theatrical oration

histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess.

a histrionic show of grief

melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism.

made a melodramatic plea

Examples of theatrical in a Sentence

Adjective

a politician who has a highly theatrical manner of speaking

after stepping out of their hired limousine, the prom couple made a theatrical entrance in their evening clothes

Noun

has been involved in amateur theatricals for most of his adult life

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Additionally, Paramount’s fourth film in its Sonic the Hedgehog franchise that adapts the video game series of the same name is set for theatrical release the week prior. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025

The action sequel, which marks the franchise’s first new theatrical installment in 15 years, has grossed $35 million domestically and $74 globally to date. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 8 June 2025

Noun

The streaming tracker noted that My Mom Jayne will also have a one-week theatrical run beginning on Friday, June 20. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025

Filmed entertainment revenue rose 4%, theatrical eased 3%. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1558, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

theatrical

adjective

the·​at·​ri·​cal

thē-ˈa-tri-kəl

1

: of or relating to the theater

a theatrical costume

2

: marked by pretended or excessive emotion

a theatrical speech

theatrically

-k(ə-)lē

adverb