monodrama: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Technical, Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “monodrama” mean?
A dramatic piece performed by a single actor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dramatic piece performed by a single actor.
A dramatic or literary work designed for one performer; figuratively, any situation where one person dominates the action or discourse, creating a self-contained, often intense performance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. The term is equally rare and technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes highbrow or experimental theatre, solo performance art, and academic analysis of dramatic form.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British academic contexts related to drama studies.
Grammar
How to Use “monodrama” in a Sentence
The monodrama [VERB] by [ACTOR][AUTHOR]'s monodrama [TITLE]a monodrama about/of/on [TOPIC]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monodrama” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The monodrama form presents unique challenges for the performer.
American English
- Her monodrama performance was critically acclaimed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical use only: 'His presentation was a corporate monodrama, leaving no time for questions.'
Academic
Primary usage: analysis of 20th-century theatrical forms, performance studies, and genre theory.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be replaced by 'one-man show' or 'one-woman show'.
Technical
Standard term in theatre studies, dramaturgy, and literary criticism for works like Samuel Beckett's 'Krapp's Last Tape'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monodrama”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monodrama”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monodrama”
- Misspelling as 'mono-drama' (hyphen is generally not standard).
- Using it to refer to any monologue.
- Pronouncing it with stress on the third syllable (/mɒn.əʊ.drəˈmɑː/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A monologue is an extended speech by one character within a larger play or context. A monodrama is an entire, self-contained dramatic work written for and performed by a single actor.
Yes. The single performer may narrate or refer to other characters, but all action and speech is channeled through the sole performer on stage.
No, it is a low-frequency, technical term used primarily in academic, literary, and theatrical contexts. In everyday conversation, people say 'one-person show' or 'solo performance'.
Yes, classic examples include Samuel Beckett's 'Krapp's Last Tape' and 'Happy Days', and in a broader sense, many contemporary solo performance pieces fall under this category.
A dramatic piece performed by a single actor.
Monodrama is usually technical, literary, academic in register.
Monodrama: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒn.ə(ʊ)ˌdrɑː.mə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑː.nəˌdrɑː.mə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The meeting turned into a monodrama, with the CEO speaking for two hours without interruption.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MONO (one) + DRAMA (play) = a drama for one person.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MONODRAMA IS A SOLITARY JOURNEY (into a character's psyche).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'monodrama' most precisely and commonly used?