I. thēˈa.trə̇kəl, thiˈ-, -rēk- adjective
Etymology: Late Latin theatric us (from Greek theatrikos, from theatron theater + -ikos -ic) + English -al — more at theater
1. : of or relating to the theater or to the acting or presentation of plays
a theatrical jack-of-all-trades — Claudia Cassidy
made no objection to his sons's theatrical ambitions — Collier's Year Book
2. : marked by pretense or artificiality : not genuine : unreal
a theatrical evangelist whose staged confessions and railings against sin are … hypocritical — Nona B. Brown
3.
a. : having the qualities of a stage play or of an actor's performance : dramatic , histrionic
active virtue … is therefore theatrical , consciously dramatic, the wearing of a mask — W.B.Yeats
b. : marked by extravagant display or exhibitionism : showy , spectacular
a theatrical bow — Michael McLaverty
one of the most theatrical figures in public life — J.K.Howard
II. noun
( -s )
1. theatricals plural : the performance and presentation of plays
forbid theatricals and other secular amusements in churches and churchyards — K.S.Latourette
amateur theatricals
student theatricals
2. theatricals plural
a. : the arts of acting and stagecraft : dramatics
b. : theater properties or memorabilia
3. : a professional actor
an eminent theatrical — Times Literary Supplement
4. theatricals plural : showy or extravagant gestures or actions
the addition of exaggerated theatricals continued the steady deterioration of this ancient and once popular sport — Collier's Year Book