crisis: …someone to turn to in moments of crisis.
turmoiclass="underline" Her marriage was in turmoil.
mayhem: …the economic mayhem that this country's going through now.
stir: Her film has caused a stir in America.
commotion: He heard a commotion outside.
dra |ma queen (drama queens ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a drama queen , you mean they react to situations in an unnecessarily dramatic or exaggerated way. [INFORMAL ] □ Don't worry, he's just being a drama queen.
dra|mat|ic ◆◆◇ /drəmæ t I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A dramatic change or event happens suddenly and is very noticeable and surprising. □ Changes in sea level could have a dramatic effect. ● dra|mati|cal|ly /drəmæ t I kli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ At speeds above 50mph, serious injuries dramatically increase.
2 ADJ A dramatic action, event, or situation is exciting and impressive. □ He witnessed many dramatic escapes as people jumped from as high as the fourth floor. ● dra|mati|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ He tipped his head to one side and sighed dramatically.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use dramatic to describe things connected with or relating to the theatre, drama, or plays. □ …a dramatic arts major in college. SYNONYMS dramatic ADJ
1
drastic: …a drastic reduction in the numbers of people dying.
severe: I suffered from severe bouts of depression.
radicaclass="underline" They want a radical reform of the way football is run in England.
extreme: The scheme has been condemned as extreme.
2
thrilling: Our wildlife trips offer a thrilling encounter with wildlife in its natural state.
sensationaclass="underline" The world champions suffered a sensational defeat.
breathtaking: Some of their football was breathtaking, a delight to watch.
hair-raising: Her truck is a very large pickup which she drives at hair-raising speeds.
dra|mat|ics /drəmæ t I ks/
1 N‑UNCOUNT You use dramatics to refer to activities connected with the theatre and drama, such as acting in plays or producing them. □ Angela says she longs to join an amateur dramatics class. □ …the university dramatics society.
2 N‑PLURAL You talk about dramatics to express your disapproval of behaviour which seems to show too much emotion, and which you think is done deliberately in order to impress people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …another wearisome outbreak of Nancy's dramatics.
dra|ma|tis per|so|nae /dræ mət I s pə r soʊ na I / N‑PLURAL The characters in a play are sometimes referred to as the dramatis personae . [TECHNICAL ]
drama|tist /dræ mət I st/ (dramatists ) N‑COUNT A dramatist is someone who writes plays.
drama|tize /dræ məta I z/ (dramatizes , dramatizing , dramatized ) in BRIT, also use dramatise 1 VERB [usu passive] If a book or story is dramatized , it is written or presented as a play, film, or television drama. □ [be V -ed] His life was dramatized in an award-winning movie. □ [V -ed] …a dramatised version of the novel. ● drama|ti|za|tion /dræ məta I ze I ʃ ə n/ (dramatizations ) N‑COUNT □ …a dramatisation of D H Lawrence's novel, 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'.
2 VERB If you say that someone dramatizes a situation or event, you mean that they try to make it seem more serious, more important, or more exciting than it really is. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] They have a tendency to show off, to dramatize almost every situation. [Also V ]
3 VERB If something that happens or is done dramatizes a situation, it focuses people's attention on the situation in a dramatic way. □ [V n] The need for change has been dramatized by plummeting bank profits.
drank /dræ ŋk/ Drank is the past tense of drink .
drape /dre I p/ (drapes , draping , draped )
1 VERB If you drape a piece of cloth somewhere, you place it there so that it hangs down in a casual and graceful way. □ [V n prep] Natasha took the coat and draped it over her shoulders. □ [V -ed prep] She had a towel draped around her neck.
2 VERB If someone or something is draped in a piece of cloth, they are loosely covered by it. □ [be V -ed + in/with ] The coffin had been draped in a Union Jack. □ [V n + in/with ] He draped himself in the Canadian flag and went round the track.
3 VERB If you drape a part of your body somewhere, you lay it there in a relaxed and graceful way. □ [V pron-refl prep] Nicola slowly draped herself across the couch. □ [V n prep] He draped his arm over Daniels' shoulder.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Drapes are pieces of heavy fabric that you hang from the top of a window and can close to keep the light out or stop people looking in. [AM ] in BRIT, use curtains
drap|er /dre I pə r / (drapers ) N‑COUNT A draper is a shopkeeper who sells cloth. [BRIT ]
dra|pery /dre I pəri/ (draperies )
1 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to cloth, curtains, or clothing hanging in folds as drapery or draperies . □ In the dining-room the draperies create an atmosphere of elegance.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Drapery is cloth that you buy in a shop. [BRIT ] □ My mother ran a couple of drapery shops. in AM, use dry goods
dras|tic /dræ st I k/