drama Hear it!

drama Definition

drama (drä′mə, dram′ə)

noun

  1. a literary composition that tells a story, usually of human conflict, by means of dialogue and action, to be performed by actors; play; now often specif., any play that is not a comedy
  2. the art or profession of writing, acting in, or producing plays
  3. plays collectively Elizabethan drama
  4. a series of events so interesting, vivid, etc. as to resemble those of a play
  5. the quality of being dramatic

Etymology: LL < Gr, an action, drama < dran, to do < IE base *drā-, to work > Latvian darīt, to do

drama Synonyms

drama

n.

  1. A theatrical composition or production

    play, piece, production, dramatic representation, dramatic work, dramatization, show, stage show, vehicle, skit, sketch, legitimate stage, theater; see also acting, theater 2. see also comedy, tragedy 3.

    Types of drama include: melodrama, tragicomedy, comedy of manners, social document, burlesque, pantomime, mime, opera, operetta, light opera, musical comedy, musical, mystery, murder mystery, farce, problem drama, classical drama, historical drama, expressionism, theater of the absurd, theater of cruelty, mixed media theater, epic, pageant, masque, miracle play, revival, serial, radio play, television play, teleplay; thriller*, high-brow stuff*, whodunit*, agitprop*, melo*;

  2. Action having the qualities of drama

    histrionics, melodrama, farce, climax, emotion, tension, suspense, scene, tragedy, comedy, theatrics, dramatics, intensity, sob story*, tear-jerker*, soap opera*; see also excitement.

drama Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • improvise: Similarly a quick improvised drama could have been used.
  • heighten: Intriguingly, Greengrass ' script never attempts to heighten the drama or the emotion by adding back-stories or even character names.

Adjective modifier

  • Greek: He has translated, directed and performed ancient Greek drama over the past fifteen years.
  • gritty: Says Gavron: We tried to elevate the film above the gritty hospital drama by having that fantasy element.
  • romantic: Is it a suspense thriller, a romantic drama or even a who-done-it?
  • compelling: Its fun to the market it the compelling drama they are frequently.
  • costume: He will also appear in the title role of Pepys, a lavish costume drama for the BBC.
  • teen: And ( hopefully ) something to also satisfy my desires for teen drama with a supernatural edge.

Modifies a noun

  • series: In 1981 she returned in an episode of the BBC drama series Angels.
  • workshop: McCarthy ran a short series of drama workshops with street girls at a local NGO.
  • documentary: We will show a drama documentary about women living with HIV aids toward the end of the series of Women in Film.
  • studio: The pottery room should convert to a TV lecture theater and drama studio.
  • production: You can remember your lines for the college drama production at any time.

Noun used with modifier

  • courtroom: The book could almost be called a police procedural / courtroom drama.
  • television: Have you noticed how modern television drama seems to have developed a rather aspirational aspect recently?
  • comedy: Book online for The History Boys The National Theater production of Alan Bennett's comedy drama finally transfers to the West End.
  • radio: The BBC has once again done a masterful job of adapting the novel to the format of radio drama.
  • TV: Says Collins: " I wanted to produce the kind of fun TV drama that leaves you with a big grin on your face.
  • sci-fi: The question is, is it a good western, or romance, or sci-fi drama.