melodrama
Pronunciation
Noun
B2 Upper-intermediate
Quick answer
A story or style of performance that relies on exaggerated emotion and dramatic events rather than realistic behavior.
Usage notes
Now usually used with a critical edge, suggesting a story is emotionally overblown rather than genuinely moving.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "Critics dismissed the film as _____, full of tearful confessions and sudden twists."
Answer: melodrama
In your own words, what does "melodrama" mean?
A story or style of performance that relies on exaggerated emotion and dramatic events rather than realistic behavior.
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