Melodrama Meaning
/ˈmɛləˌdɹɑːmə/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes.
nounA drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic.
Sentence Examples
The movie was a classic melodrama full of intense emotion.
I found the play to be a bit too much of a melodrama.
The play was a exciting melodrama full of secrets.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The television show was full of exaggerated emotions, a classic ____ from the 1800s.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The play was a bit of a ____, with exaggerated emotions and highly dramatic plot twists at every turn.
Word Origin & History
From French mélodrame, the second element refashioned by analogy with drama; ultimately from Ancient Greek μέλος (mélos, “limb”, “member”, “song”, “tune”, “melody”) + δρᾶμα (drâma, “deed”, “theatrical act”). Compare melodrame. Cognate to German Melodram and Spanish melodrama.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Rudolf was the bold, bad Baron of traditional melodrama. Irene was young, as pretty as a picture, fresh from a music academy in England. He was the scion of an ancient noble family; she an orphan without money or friends."
— 1956, Delano Ames, chapter 9, in Crime out of Mind:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The television show was full of exaggerated emotions, a classic ____ from the 1800s.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The play was a bit of a ____, with exaggerated emotions and highly dramatic plot twists at every turn.