theatrical
/θiˈæt.rɪ.kəl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
- 1.
Done in a dramatic, exaggerated, or showy way. It can describe a person's behaviour, a gesture, or a style that seems like acting on a stage.
- Her theatrical sigh made everyone laugh.
- He gave a theatrical bow.
- The speech felt theatrical, not sincere.
- 2.
Connected with the theatre or stage performances.
- She has a theatrical background.
- The hotel has a theatrical theme.
- They studied theatrical lighting.
Adinary Nuance
Theatrical is stronger and more showy than dramatic. Use dramatic for something emotional or striking, but use theatrical when it feels like performance or acting for effect. It can sound slightly critical when a person is being overdone or artificial.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- kịch tính
- Spanish
- teatral
- Chinese
- 戏剧性的
- Japanese
- 演劇の
- Korean
- 연극의
Etymology
From Greek theatron, meaning “place for viewing,” through Latin and French. English has used theatrical since the 1600s for stage-related things and dramatic behaviour.
Common phrases
theatrical performancetheatrical productiontheatrical stylea theatrical gesture
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is theatrical a negative word?
- Sometimes. It can simply mean dramatic and lively, but it often suggests too much show or exaggeration.
- What is the difference between theatrical and dramatic?
- Dramatic means powerful or emotional. Theatrical often means stage-like, exaggerated, or done for effect.
- Can I use theatrical for a person?
- Yes. You can describe a person as theatrical if they act in an exaggerated, attention-catching way.
- Is theatrical used in formal writing?
- Yes, especially when writing about theatre, style, or behaviour. In everyday speech, it often sounds slightly critical.