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theatrical Definition

the·at·ri·cal (t̸hē a′tri kəl)

adjective

  1. having to do with the theater, the drama, a play, actors, etc.
  2. characteristic of the theater; dramatic; esp. (in disparagement), melodramatic, histrionic, showy, or affected
  3. designating or of a film, usually a feature (), produced for first exhibition in a commercial theater as distinguished from one made for showing first on TV, as home video, etc.

Etymology: < LL theatricus (< Gr theatrikos) + -al

theatrical Related Forms

the·at′·ri·cal·ism′ noun or the·at′·ri·cal′·ity-kal′ə tē the·at′·ri·cally adverb

theatrical Synonyms

theatrical

modif.

  1. Concerning the theater

    dramatic, amateur, professional, vaudeville, touring, histrionic, comic, tragic, farcical, tragi-comic, melodramatic, operatic, theater, show.

  2. Showy

    ceremonious, meretricious, melodramatic, superficial; see affected 2.

theatrical Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • relevant: Lectures will introduce the students to relevant theatrical, institutional, political and historical contexts.
  • first: It is not clear how he was involved, but it was his first theatrical ' mention ' .
  • many: There is also the added benefit of discounted tickets for many theatrical, opera and ballet performances throughout the region.

Modifies a noun

  • trailer: Extras: * Three Theatrical Trailers - An amusing addition - the trailers are all worth watching.
  • costumier: Their costumes looked like they'd come from modern day department stores, rather than a theatrical costumiers.
  • release: RM: " We've got an American theatrical release which comes out on 16th October.
  • trailer.: Extras: * Trailer - The theatrical trailer. * Production Notes - Some highly unreadable ( blame the font ) text-based notes.
  • spectacle: But this isn't a great theatrical spectacle, and it doesn't pretend to be.
  • production: End products: Posters, videos, short theatrical productions.

Used with adjective complement

get: But we've got enough theatrical cross-dressing roles to last us a lifetime.

Noun used with modifier

  • bit: Her manner of expression will be exaggerated and a bit theatrical.
  • something: It's refreshing to meet someone who makes the separation, who considers something theatrical.
  • thing: Its heritage is synonymous with excellence in all things theatrical, from acting and staging to costume.

Modifying Another Word

  • overtly: Pagliacci was the more visual treat, although its carnivalesque qualities do give it an advantage when it comes to more overtly theatrical staging.
  • wonderfully: He had his idiosyncrasies, he had style and he was on occasions wonderfully theatrical with a gift for superb entrances.
  • highly: The latter celebrated her native city in a highly theatrical duet ( Barcelona ) with the late Freddie Mercury of Queen.
  • almost: But it threw an almost theatrical light on the man who stood outside the cloak room in the corridor.
  • truly: Something for children Waiting in the foyer, we are brought immediately to attention by the truly theatrical entrance of a white-haired actor.
  • rather: Technology will allow us to put surface details on our rather minimalistic furniture and everything will look rather theatrical.

Preposition: in

nature: Much of our stay was theatrical in nature, which is only to be expected in a town like this.