theatrical

[ thee-a-tri-kuhl ]

See synonyms for theatrical on Thesaurus.com

adjectiveAlso the·at·ric.

of or relating to the theater or dramatic presentations: theatrical performances.
suggestive of the theater or of acting; artificial, pompous, spectacular, or extravagantly histrionic: a theatrical display of grief.

noun

theatricals,
- dramatic performances, now especially as given by amateurs.
- artificial or histrionic actions.
a professional actor: a family of renowned theatricals.

Origin of theatrical

1550–60; <Late Latin theātric(us) <Greek theātrikós, equivalent to theā́tr(on) theater + -ikos-ic + -al¹

Other words for theatrical

2	exaggerated, melodramatic, stagy, extravagant

See synonyms for theatrical on Thesaurus.com

Other words from theatrical

the·at·ri·cal·i·ty [thee-a-tri-kal-i-tee], /θiˌæ trɪˈkæl ɪ ti/, the·at·ri·cal·ness, noun
the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverb
half-the·at·ri·cal, adjective
non·the·at·ric, adjective
non·the·at·ri·cal, adjective
non·the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverb
o·ver·the·at·ri·cal, adjective
o·ver·the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverb
o·ver·the·at·ri·cal·ness, noun
qua·si-the·at·ri·cal, adjective
qua·si-the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverb
sem·i·the·at·ric, adjective
sem·i·the·at·ri·cal, adjective
sem·i·the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverb
un·the·at·ric, adjective
un·the·at·ri·cal, adjective
un·the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use theatrical in a sentence

Certainly not before next Thursday, as we have amateur theatricals at General Molon's.
The Doctor of Pimlico | William Le Queux
Under the same head as private theatricals may come dramatized charades and proverbs, so much in fashion at the present time.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley
Leap-frog was the prevalent game for a time, but at last Graham suggested theatricals, and they were agreed on.
Eric, or Little by Little | Frederic W. Farrar
I had the idea—perhaps I got it from George Withers—that you used to be interested in a matter of theatricals.
The Winning Clue | James Hay, Jr.
Mrs. Wilbur Edes, although small, was masterly in everything, from waving a pompadour to conducting theatricals.
The Butterfly House | Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

British Dictionary definitions for theatrical

theatrical

/ (θɪˈætrɪkəl) /

adjective

of or relating to the theatre or dramatic performances
exaggerated and affected in manner or behaviour; histrionic

Derived forms of theatrical

theatricality or theatricalness, noun
theatrically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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