melodrama Hear it!

melodrama definition

melo·drama (mel′ō drä′mə, -dram′ə; mel′ə-)

noun

  1. Historical a sensational or romantic stage play with interspersed songs and an orchestral accompaniment
  2. now, a drama, as a play or film, concerned with exaggerated conflicts and emotions, stereotyped characters, etc.; also, such dramas collectively
  3. any sensational, extravagantly emotional action, utterance, etc.

Etymology: altered (by assoc. with drama) < Fr mélodrame < Gr melos, a song + Fr drame < LL: see drama

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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