dramatic

views updated Jun 11 2018

dra·mat·ic / drəˈmatik/ • adj. 1. of or relating to drama or the performance or study of drama: the dramatic arts a dramatic society.2. (of an event or circumstance) sudden and striking: a dramatic increase in recorded crime. ∎  exciting or impressive: he recalled his dramatic escape from the building| dramatic mountain peaks. ∎  (of a person or their behavior) intending or intended to create an effect; theatrical: with a dramatic gesture, she put a hand to her brow.DERIVATIVES: dra·mat·i·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.

dramatic

views updated May 18 2018

dramatic.
1. Applied to sop., ten., etc., a powerful singer with a style suitable for forceful operatic roles.

2. Applied strictly to mus., this adjective signifies mus. written for the stage, but the much more general meaning is mus. of strongly theatrical spirit and effect, e.g. Tchaikovsky's 4th Sym., Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Strauss's Don Juan, Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata, etc.