trama: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral
Quick answer
What does “trama” mean?
A play for theatre, radio, or television.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A play for theatre, radio, or television; a genre of narrative fiction intended to be more serious than humorous in tone.
An exciting, emotional, or unexpected event or situation; theatrical or exaggerated behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'drama' is commonly used for the subject studied at school/university (e.g., 'She's studying Drama'). In American English, 'Theater' is often used for the academic discipline, though 'Drama' is still understood. 'Drama queen' is equally common in both.
Connotations
Both varieties share the negative connotation when referring to excessive emotional reactions. 'To make a drama out of something' is slightly more British.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “trama” in a Sentence
[Verb] + drama: watch, see, produce, write, create, avoid[Adjective] + drama: gripping, intense, historical, medical, unnecessaryVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “trama” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'Drama' is not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'Drama' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - There is no standard adverbial form 'dramaly'. Use 'dramatically'.
- N/A
American English
- N/A - There is no standard adverbial form 'dramaly'. Use 'dramatically'.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She comes from a very drama background.
- The drama department is putting on a show.
American English
- She has a drama background from college.
- The drama club audition is tomorrow.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'We need to avoid any boardroom drama during the merger.'
Academic
'The dissertation analyses the use of symbolism in 20th-century American drama.'
Everyday
'There's always so much drama at her workplace.'
Technical
'The scriptwriter focused on the three-act drama structure.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trama”
- Using 'drama' as a countable noun for a single play is correct ("a powerful drama"), but learners sometimes omit the article. Confusing 'drama' (genre/situation) with 'melodrama' (exaggerated drama).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While 'drama' as a genre is serious, it is not exclusively tragic. It encompasses a wide range of serious themes. Furthermore, in everyday use ('office drama'), it refers to any emotionally charged situation.
All dramas are plays, but not all plays are dramas. 'Play' is the general term for a theatrical work. 'Drama' specifically denotes a serious play, as opposed to a comedy or farce. In non-theatrical contexts, only 'drama' is used (e.g., 'family drama').
Rarely in its extended meaning. When referring to the art form, it is neutral/positive ('great drama'). When describing real-life situations ('so much drama'), it almost always carries a negative connotation of unnecessary conflict or exaggeration.
No. 'Dramatic' is the related adjective. It can mean 'related to drama' (dramatic arts) or, more commonly, 'sudden and striking' (a dramatic change) or 'exaggerated in emotion' (a dramatic sigh). 'Drama' is the noun for the thing itself.
A play for theatre, radio, or television.
Trama is usually neutral in register.
Trama: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdrɑː.mə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdrɑː.mə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make a drama out of a crisis”
- “drama queen”
- “all drama and no substance”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DRAma Makes A scene: D-R-A-M-A.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A STAGE / EMOTIONAL SITUATIONS ARE THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'drama' LEAST appropriate?