Theatrical
/ˌθiːəˈtrɪkəl/noun
Relating to the theater or exaggerated in a dramatic, showy way.
Did you know?The root behind theatrical comes from Greek theatron, originally meaning a “place for viewing,” from the same family as words for seeing and spectacle—proof that performance has always been tied to the power of being seen.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*weyd-
“to see, know”
Ancient Greek
Greek
theatron
“a place for viewing; a theater”
Late Latin
Latin
theatralis
“of the theater”
Middle French
Old French
theatral
“of or pertaining to the theater”
Late 16th Century
English
theatrical
“pertaining to the theater; stage-like”
Modern English
English
theatrical
“relating to drama or exaggerated in manner”