dramatics

/drəˈmætɪks/ (bre, ipa) · /drəˈmætɪks/ (ame, ipa) · /drə-ˈma-tiks/ (ame, mw)

dramatics — noun

1. behaviour that is made to seem much more emotional or serious than the situation

1.名詞B2
釋義

behaviour that is made to seem much more emotional or serious than the situation really requires, often to get attention or influence people.

例句

After the coach said no, Renata answered with tears and unnecessary dramatics.

uncountable noun for exaggerated behaviour

The family ignored Eli's door slamming, knowing the dramatics would soon end.

the dramatics = the whole emotional display

同義詞
  • theatrics

    more common for showy, attention-seeking behaviour

  • melodrama

    suggests emotions that feel too strong or artificial

  • scene-making

    focuses on causing a public fuss or disturbance

文法句型

pure dramatics

the usual dramatics

drop the dramatics

用法筆記

Usually uncountable and often used with words such as pure, usual, or unnecessary. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about overdone behaviour, not the study or practice of acting.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher praised Mei's dramatics on stage.
✅The teacher praised Mei's acting on stage.
💡In this sense, dramatics means exaggerated behaviour, not skilled performance.
❌Please stop your drama class dramatics.
✅Please stop the dramatics.
💡Here the word refers to an emotional display, not a class about acting.

2. the subject or training that teaches people how to perform in plays and help sta

2.名詞B2
釋義

the subject or training that teaches people how to perform in plays and help stage them, including acting and production skills.

例句

Hoa studied dramatics at college before training as a theatre director.

study dramatics at college

At Iker's school, dramatics classes include voice work and stage movement.

dramatics classes = classes in acting and production

同義詞
  • theatre studies

    broader academic term that can include history and criticism as well as performance

  • acting

    focuses on performing roles, not the full production side

  • stagecraft

    focuses on the technical side of putting on plays

文法句型

study dramatics

teach dramatics

major in dramatics

用法筆記

Usually uncountable when naming the subject or field of study. It often appears in school or college contexts and overlaps with theatre studies, but it stresses acting and producing plays rather than theatre as a broad art form.

常見錯誤

❌She studies the dramatics at college.
✅She studies dramatics at college.
💡When it means the subject, dramatics is usually used without the.
❌Her dramatics degree taught her to be more dramatic in arguments.
✅Her dramatics degree taught her acting skills.
💡This sense names a field of study, not exaggerated behaviour.