drama

Everyday

1. A play for the theatre, TV or radio; a story acted out by people. tree →
2. The subject of acting and performing plays, as taught in school: «drama class». tree →
3. An exciting, unusual or upsetting event or situation. tree →
4. (informal, slang) Unnecessary fuss, arguing and gossip between people: «I don't want any drama.» tree →

In the lessons

In school, drama lessons teach acting, voice and movement; pupils perform «a drama». On TV, a «drama» is a serious series. In everyday talk «drama» means fuss: «Stop the drama!» and «drama queen» (someone who overreacts). Phrases: «drama class», «drama club», «make a drama out of», «drama queen», «TV drama», «no drama» (Australia: no problem).

Examples

• We have drama on Tuesday afternoons. tree →
• The school is putting on a drama about a shipwreck. tree →
• There was a lot of drama when the dog ran off with the turkey. tree →
• (informal) Don't be such a drama queen, it's only a scratch. tree →
• (slang) There's always drama in that group chat. tree →
• (Australia) «Can you pass the salt?» «No drama.» tree →
• My mum likes watching crime dramas. tree →
• A whole life drama is unfolding itself before her inward gaze. tree →

Note

Countable (a drama, dramas) for plays and events; uncountable for the school subject and fuss. Adjective: «dramatic» (exciting, or sudden and big). «Drama queen» is mildly rude, used about people of any gender.