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# theatrical

adjective (theatrical); noun (theatricals — plural)

«theatrical» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Theatrical means about the theatre, plays and acting: a theatrical company, theatrical costumes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/#m1)
2. Theatrical also means exaggerated and showy, as if acting for an audience: "He gave a theatrical sigh." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/#m2)
3. (noun) Amateur theatricals are plays put on by ordinary people, not professional actors. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/#m3)

### In the lessons

In drama lessons it appears with stage, costumes, lighting and props. In stories and everyday life it describes someone who makes a big show of their feelings ("Don't be so theatrical!"). Phrases: "theatrical performance", "theatrical gesture", "theatrical makeup".

### Examples

- The school put on a theatrical show at Christmas. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/#x1)
- She bowed in a very theatrical way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/#x2)
- My brother gave a theatrical groan when Mum said "homework". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/#x3)
- The theatrical costumes were stored in the hall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/#x4)
- Don't be so theatrical; it's only a small scratch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/#x5)
- The theatrical company toured the country with their play. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/#x6)
- Theatrical makeup has to be bright so the audience can see it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/#x7)

### Note

Adverb: theatrically. Spelling: theatre (UK) / theater (US), but "theatrical" is the same in both. The exaggerated sense is a bit critical.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «theatrical» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theatrical/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«theatrical» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/theatrical.html) on Mova free.