theatrical

play

adjective the·at·ri·cal \ thē-ˈa-tri-kəl \

variants: or less commonly theatric play \-trik\

Definition of theatrical

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

a theatrical costume

2 :marked by pretense or artificiality of emotion

3 a :histrionic

a theatrical gesture

b :marked by extravagant display or exhibitionism

—

theatricalism

play \-kə-ˌli-zəm\ noun

—

theatricality

play \-ˌa-trə-ˈka-lə-tē\ noun

—

theatrically

play \-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See theatrical defined for English-language learners

See theatrical defined for kids

Examples of theatrical in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of theatrical from the Web

One thing Casanova had learned at a very young age from his theatrical family was that the audience preferred dazzle to truth.

— gaile robinson, star-telegram, "Kimbell’s ‘Casanova’ follows the seducer’s trail through Europe – adult-only art and all," 30 Aug. 2017
Actor Velázquez is best known for his stage work, though there's nothing theatrical about his performance here, brimming with incessant wariness whose toll is conveyed via enormous bags under his wearied eyes.

— jay weissberg, chicagotribune.com, "'The Long Night of Francisco Sanctis' review: Deception and distrust in Buenos Aires," 25 Aug. 2017
The documentary debuted April 21 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York and had a brief theatrical run in Miami in the spring.

— mimi whitefield, miamiherald, "Elián González documentary to air Thursday on CNN," 23 Aug. 2017
Watch the teaser trailer below before the full theatrical trailer drops August 8.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Your First Look at Jennifer Lawrence in Her Boyfriend's Creepy New Film," 31 July 2017
Even at their most static, his works are theatrical, transforming the act of seeing into an open-ended choreographed experience.

— The Economist, "Alexander Calder made time a sculptural medium," 22 July 2017
The unveiling Friday helped kicked off Dayton’s annual Scopes Trial festival, a 10-day event featuring a theatrical production. _

— mark zaleski, The Seattle Times, "Statue of ‘Scopes monkey trial’ evolution backer unveiled," 14 July 2017
The St. Paul group performs cirque nouveau — contemporary, theatrical circus — and was the first youth circus to recruit international professionals as coaches, according to Butler.

— s. m. chavey, Twin Cities, "St. Paul’s Circus Juventas prepares for big Smithsonian shows," 15 June 2017
Last fall Kahn was busy leading the dramatic light and theatrical production that marked the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.

— mará rose williams, kansascity, "Cuts to UMKC theater department also hit Kansas City’s arts community," 10 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'theatrical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of theatrical

1558

theatrical Synonyms

Synonyms

dramatic, hammy, histrionic, melodramatic, stagy (or stagey)

Antonyms

undramatic

Related Words

actorish, actorly, actressy; overacted, overdone, sensational, staged; conspicuous, elaborate, flamboyant, grandiose, ostentatious, showy; affected, artificial, exaggerated, mannered, pretentious, self-conscious, studied, unnatural

Near Antonyms

nondramatic, nontheatrical, unaffected, underplayed, unpretentious; muted, restrained, subdued, toned (down); conservative, discreet, inconspicuous; modest, plain, quiet, simple

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

theatrical

noun

Definition of theatrical

1 theatricals plural

a :the performance of plays

b :dramatics

2 British :a professional actor

3 theatricals plural :showy or extravagant gestures

Recent Examples of theatrical from the Web

But studios have countered that theatrical has become a larger share of the revenue because of the collapse in DVD sales, one of the people said.

— Fortune, "This Map Will Show You the World’s Most Expensive Stock Markets," 19 Aug. 2017
There’s a lot of debate with filmmakers over streaming vs. theatrical.

— jon niccum, kansascity, "Thanks, Netflix: Here’s where to find acclaimed movies shot by KC filmmakers," 3 Aug. 2017
Orlando will be the last of three SeaWorld parks to end the theatrical shows, probably late next year.

— by marjie lambert, miamiherald, "Hi-tech, immersive worlds and big franchises highlight Florida theme parks’ evolution," 19 May 2017
But our commitment is to theatrical and big presentations, and so is [Cannes’s].

— rebecca keegan, HWD, "Does Cannes Still Matter?," 16 May 2017
But our commitment is to theatrical and big presentations, and so is [Cannes’s].

— vanityfair.com, "Does Cannes Still Matter?," 16 May 2017
The movie’s version of the event continues with Crawford inflicting further cruelties in a state of theatrical, self-dramatizing possession—

— richard brody, The New Yorker, "Joan Crawford’s Explosive Offscreen Life," 5 June 2016

First Known Use of theatrical

circa 1683

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

THEATRICAL Defined for English Language Learners

theatrical

play

adjective

Definition of theatrical for English Language Learners

: of or relating to the theater
: behaving or done in a way that is meant to attract attention and that is often not genuine or sincere

THEATRICAL Defined for Kids

theatrical

play

adjective the·at·ri·cal \ thē-ˈa-tri-kəl \

Definition of theatrical for Students

:for or relating to the presentation of plays

a theatrical production

theatrical costumes

Learn More about theatrical

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for theatrical Spanish Central: Translation of theatrical Nglish: Translation of theatrical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of theatrical for Arabic speakers

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Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of theatrical

Other Performing Arts Terms

theatrical

Definition of theatrical

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First Known Use of theatrical

Other Performing Arts Terms

THEATRICAL Defined for English Language Learners

theatrical

Definition of theatrical for English Language Learners

THEATRICAL Defined for Kids

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