overdramatized
|o-ver-dram-a-tized|
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/ˌoʊvərˈdræməˌtaɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊvəˈdræməˌtaɪz/
(overdramatize)
exaggerate drama
Etymology
'overdramatize' is formed from the English prefix 'over-' (meaning 'excessively' or 'too much') + 'dramatize' (to make dramatic).
'dramatize' comes from 'drama', which originates from Greek 'drama' meaning 'action' or 'play'; 'over-' comes from Old English 'ofer' meaning 'above' or 'beyond'. The modern compound 'overdramatize' developed in English by combining these elements.
Originally 'dramatize' meant 'to turn into a drama or present as a drama'; combined with 'over-' it came to mean 'to make excessively dramatic' or 'to exaggerate the dramatic aspects.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'overdramatize' — to represent or describe (something) in an excessively dramatic way; to exaggerate the dramatic elements of a situation.
She overdramatized the incident to get more attention.
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Adjective 1
describing something that has been made to seem more dramatic than it really is; excessively dramatic or exaggerated.
The film's climax felt overdramatized and unrealistic.
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Last updated: 2025/09/02 22:11