dramatically

Everyday

1. Very much and often suddenly: a big change. tree →
2. In a way that is like acting in a play, showing feelings in a big, showy way. tree →
3. Relating to drama or plays. tree →

In the lessons

In maths, science and geography, «dramatically» describes a big rise or fall: «the temperature dropped dramatically», which tells the reader to expect a large difference in the numbers. In stories, a character who sighs dramatically is showing off feelings. Phrases: «rise dramatically», «fall dramatically», «sigh dramatically».

Examples

• The temperature fell dramatically overnight. tree →
• Prices rose dramatically last year. tree →
• Her reading improved dramatically after the summer. tree →
• He sighed dramatically when told to tidy his room. tree →
• She threw her arms up dramatically, like an actress. tree →
• The coastline has changed dramatically in a hundred years. tree →
• The story ends dramatically with a storm. tree →

Note

Adverb from «dramatic»; spelled with «-ally», not «-ly»: dramatically. In maths or graph questions it means a large change, but it does not give a number; check the data. Informal overuse: «you're being dramatic» means overreacting.