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

Noun

• theatre
• drama
• theater
• stage

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

Animaj will focus on expanding the brand’s digital and international footprint—from international licensing and digital engagement to new digital and premium content experiences— while Studio 100 will spearhead new theatrical movie productions and theme parks. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Director Steven Cantor’s documentary Four Down, which is based on Schuyler’s story, premiered earlier this year at the Sunscreen Film Festival and is being held for release once Not Without Hope finishes its theatrical and VOD run. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025

Noun

The streamer will give this gripping and intense film — which is a cautionary letter about the nuclear stockpile across the world — a theatrical, qualifying play in theaters starting October 10. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2025

The film will have a limited release in theaters on Nov. 26 as part of a two-week theatrical run before arriving on Netflix on Dec. 12. —Leia Mendoza, Variety, 8 Sep. 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