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theatrical

adjective C1 Formal

Meaning

Pertaining to the art or practice of drama and performance; characterized by exaggerated or ostentatious behavior, often employed to evoke strong emotional responses or to emphasize a particular narrative or theme in a theatrical context.
💡 While "theatrical" can denote a genuine artistic quality, it is often used pejoratively to describe behavior that is overly dramatic or insincere in everyday situations.

Example Sentences

The CEO made a theatrical presentation to impress the investors .
The director emphasized the importance of subtle , not theatrical , performances .
The theatrical performance demonstrated advanced techniques in stage design .

Word in Context

On the morning of the audition , Lara stood in front of her apartment mirror and warmed up her voice , counting the beats of each sentence . She decided to keep her gestures restrained rather than adopt a theatrical style , because the director had asked for subtlety . When she rehearsed , she focused on precise diction and on conveying emotion through small changes in timing and breath . Walking to the studio , she reviewed the scene in her head , picturing how a quiet pause could change the meaning of a line . At the door she paused to breathe deeply , feeling ready to present a measured , honest performance rather than a showy one .

Common Phrases

theatrical performance theatrical techniques theatrical conventions

Synonyms

Antonyms

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