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Synonyms

theatrical

American  
[thee-a-tri-kuhl] / θiˈæ trɪ kəl /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the theater or dramatic presentations.

    theatrical performances.

  2. suggestive of the theater or of acting; artificial, pompous, spectacular, or extravagantly histrionic.

    a theatrical display of grief.

    Synonyms:
    extravagant, stagy, melodramatic, exaggerated

noun

  1. theatricals,

    1. dramatic performances, now especially as given by amateurs.

    2. artificial or histrionic actions.

  2. a professional actor.

    a family of renowned theatricals.

theatrical British  
/ θɪˈætrɪkəl /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the theatre or dramatic performances

  2. exaggerated and affected in manner or behaviour; histrionic

"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

Other Word Forms

  • half-theatrical adjective
  • nontheatric adjective
  • nontheatrical adjective
  • nontheatrically adverb
  • overtheatrical adjective
  • overtheatrically adverb
  • overtheatricalness noun
  • quasi-theatrical adjective
  • quasi-theatrically adverb
  • semitheatric adjective
  • semitheatrical adjective
  • semitheatrically adverb
  • theatricality noun
  • theatrically adverb
  • theatricalness noun
  • untheatric adjective
  • untheatrical adjective
  • untheatrically adverb

Etymology

Origin of theatrical

1550–60; < Late Latin theātric ( us ) < Greek theātrikós, equivalent to theā́tr ( on ) theater + -ikos -ic + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As a theatrical performer of her own songs, Moreno feels firmly in her element on Broadway.

From Los Angeles Times

Sarandos argued that Cameron "knowingly misrepresents our position and commitment to the theatrical release of Warner Bros films", and reiterated his "firm commitment" to a strong showing for the company's output in cinemas.

From BBC

Many in Hollywood had raised concerns regarding a sale to Netflix, pointing to the company’s history of moving away from industry-accepted norms regarding theatrical releases and exclusivity agreements.

From MarketWatch

The staging, arranged around striking tableaux, is at once cinematic and fleetly theatrical.

From Los Angeles Times

Surniak still has a day job, working as a stunt and intimacy coordinator on theatrical and Hollywood productions.

From Los Angeles Times