MelodramaA dramatic style that emphasizes intense emotion and exaggerated events. is a style of drama or storytelling that puts dramatic action and emotion ahead of realisticSimilar to ordinary life and likely to happen in real situations. character depth. It often aims for strong effects, clear contrasts, and heightenedMade stronger, more intense, or more noticeable than usual. feeling.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌmɛləˈdrɑmə/
Easy pronunciation: mel-uh-DRAH-muh (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the third syllable, DRAH.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Melodrama Meaning
a very dramatic story, play, or movie that focuses on strong emotion and exciting events
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a dramatic work or style that emphasizes exciting action and emotional effects more than realistic characters or subtle treatment
Example: The old film feels like pure melodrama, with exaggerated emotions and sudden twists.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Melodrama Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- drama
- soap opera
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using melodrama to mean any ordinary drama; it usually suggests exaggerated emotion or style.
- Confusing melodrama with melodramatic, which is the adjective form.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does melodrama mean?
Melodrama means a dramatic style or story that uses heightened emotion and exciting action, often with less focus on realistic characters.
What are synonyms for melodrama?
Good near-synonyms for the main sense include drama and soap opera, though neither is a perfect match in every context.
Is melodrama a negative word?
Not always, but it can suggest that something is overly emotional or exaggerated.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.