dra ‧ mat ‧ ic W3 AC /drəˈmætɪk/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ drama , ↑ dramatist ; verb : ↑ dramatize ; adjective : ↑ dramatic ]
1 . great and sudden
dramatic change/shift/improvement
Computers have brought dramatic changes to the workplace.
dramatic increase/rise/fall/drop/reduction etc
Universities have suffered a dramatic drop in student numbers.
dramatic effect/results
A serious accident can have a dramatic effect on your family’s finances.
2 . exciting or impressive:
A superb goal by Owen earned United a dramatic victory yesterday.
Some of the most dramatic events in American history happened here.
the dramatic scenery of the Grand Canyon
3 . connected with acting or plays:
the amateur dramatic society
the dramatic arts
4 . intended to be impressive, so that people notice:
She needed a stunning dress to help her make a dramatic entrance.
Tristan threw up his hands in a dramatic gesture.
—dramatically /-kli/ adverb :
Output has increased dramatically.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ a dramatic change
The Internet has brought dramatic changes to the way we work.
▪ a dramatic increase/rise
There has been a dramatic rise in fuel costs.
▪ a dramatic fall/drop/decline
Between these years there was a dramatic fall in youth employment.
▪ a dramatic effect/impact
An accident can have a dramatic effect on your family’s finances.
▪ a dramatic improvement
There has been a dramatic improvement in the standard of students’ work.
▪ a dramatic shift (=change in the way people think or do something)
This announcement signalled a dramatic shift in the government’s policy.
▪ a dramatic result
Cameras on the streets have produced dramatic results in reducing crime.
▪ a dramatic difference
The programs made a dramatic difference to the lives of millions of people.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ thrilling /ˈθrɪlɪŋ/ very exciting
▪ gripping a gripping film, story etc is very exciting and interesting
▪ dramatic used about something that is exciting to watch or hear about as it happens:
the dramatic events of the past week
▪ exhilarating /ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪŋ/ making you feel happy, excited, and full of energy:
an exhilarating ride
▪ nail-biting very exciting, especially because you do not know what is going to happen next:
a nail-biting finish