histrionics

[ his-tree-on-iks ]
/ ˌhɪs triˈɒn ɪks /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR histrionics ON THESAURUS.COM

noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

dramatic representation; theatricals; acting.
behavior or speech for effect, as insincere or exaggerated expression of an emotion; dramatics; operatics: Cut out the histrionics—we know you're not really mad.

Origin of histrionics

First recorded in 1860–65; see origin at histrionic, -ics

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH histrionics

hysterics histrionics

Words nearby histrionics

histotoxic anoxia, histotrophic, histotropic, histrionic, histrionic personality disorder, histrionics, hit, hit a snag, hit batsman, hit below the belt, hit between the eyes

Definition for histrionics (2 of 2)

histrionic
[ his-tree-on-ik ]
/ ˌhɪs triˈɒn ɪk /

adjective Also his·tri·on·i·cal.

of or relating to actors or acting.
deliberately affected or self-consciously emotional; overly dramatic, in behavior or speech.

noun

an actor.

Origin of histrionic

1640–50; < Late Latin histrōnicus of actors, equivalent to histriōn- (stem of histriō) actor (said to be < Etruscan) + -icus -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM histrionic

Words related to histrionics

dramatization, performance, performing, dramatics

Example sentences from the Web for histrionics

British Dictionary definitions for histrionics

histrionic

histrionical

/ (ˌhɪstrɪˈɒnɪk) /

adjective

excessively dramatic, insincere, or artificial histrionic gestures
rare dramatic

noun

(plural) melodramatic displays of temperament
rare (plural, functioning as singular) dramatics

Derived forms of histrionic

histrionically, adverb

Word Origin for histrionic

C17: from Late Latin histriōnicus of a player, from histriō actor