Langimage
English

melodrama

|mel/o/dra/ma|

B2

/ˈmɛləˌdrɑːmə/

exaggerated drama

Etymology
Etymology Information

'melodrama' originates from the Greek word 'melos' meaning 'song' and the French word 'drame' meaning 'drama'.

Historical Evolution

'melodrama' changed from the French word 'mélodrame' and eventually became the modern English word 'melodrama'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a play with music', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a dramatic work with exaggerated emotions'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and characters to appeal to the emotions, often with a happy ending.

The play was a classic melodrama with a villain, a hero, and a damsel in distress.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42