WordGarden.iodrama
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /drˈɑːmə/
US
- /ˈdrɑmə/
Meanings
Noun
a play, film, or television story, especially one with serious or emotional events
the art, study, or performance of plays
exciting, tense, or emotional events in a real situation
More meaningsFewer meanings
unnecessary emotional fuss or interpersonal conflict
Beyond the definition
Drama is not just about plays on stage, though that is where it starts. At first, "drama" meant a story performed for an audience, usually with strong feelings and conflict. Think of ancient Greek tragedies or Shakespeare's plays. Over time, the word grew wider. Now we also use "drama" for tense, emotional, or messy situations in real life. A big fight with a friend can be drama. So can ongoing problems in a family or office. Someone who often creates this kind of trouble may be called "a bit of a drama queen."
The word comes from a Greek word meaning "action," so the main idea is that something important is happening. You might say, "There's always some kind of drama going on in that family," or "I try to avoid unnecessary drama at work."
The word "drama" has a rich history rooted in the performing arts. Originally, it referred specifically to a form of literature and performance designed to be acted out – think plays with characters, dialogue, and plot twists. These dramas often explored serious themes like love, loss, morality, and fate. The ancient Greeks were pioneers of drama, creating tragedies and comedies that still influence storytelling today.
However, "drama" has evolved far beyond the stage. Today, we use it to describe any situation filled with intense emotion, conflict, or excitement. A dramatic event is one that's particularly striking or memorable – like a sudden storm or a surprising announcement.
"Drama" can also refer to a person's tendency to create unnecessary conflict or exaggerate situations. Someone described as "a drama queen" thrives on attention and often blows things out of proportion. You might say, "She always makes a big drama out of nothing."
The core idea behind all these meanings is action and intensity. Whether it's a carefully crafted play, a real-life crisis, or someone's penchant for theatrics, "drama" implies something captivating, emotional, and often unpredictable. So next time you find yourself in the middle of a whirlwind of events, remember – you're living out a little bit of drama!
Examples
- 1
Academic subject
She studied drama at university before becoming an actor.
- 2
TV genre
We watched a legal drama on TV last night.
- 3
Sports tension
The final minutes of the match were full of drama.
- 4
Workplace conflict
There was a lot of drama in the office after the manager resigned.
- Phrasea lot of drama
a lot of conflict, upset, or emotional trouble
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Conflict avoidance
I don't want any drama at my birthday dinner.
- Phraseno drama
no arguments or unnecessary trouble
- 6
Overreaction
He made a huge drama out of a small mistake.
- Patternmake a drama out of + problem
react as if it is much more serious than it really is
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dramanoun
Forms
- dramaspluralnoun