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Melodrama

//ˈmɛləˌdɹɑːmə// noun, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes. archaic, uncountable
  2. 2
    an extravagant comedy in which action is more salient than characterization wordnet
  3. 3
    A drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic. countable
  4. 4
    A passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks. countable

    "The grave-digging scene in Beethoven's “Fidelio” has much melodrama."

  5. 5
    Any situation or action which is blown out of proportion. colloquial, figuratively, uncountable

Etymology

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.

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