Basic Details
Word: Histrionic
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Relating to exaggerated emotions or behaviour that is overly dramatic.
Synonyms: Theatrical, melodramatic, dramatic
Antonyms: Reserved, calm, understated
Idioms and Phrases
- All the worlds a stage: This phrase implies that life is like a theatre and people are merely actors. Example: "During the argument, she acted like all the worlds a stage, putting on a big show."
- Drama queen: A person, often someone very emotional, who tends to exaggerate situations. Example: "Hes such a drama queen; he always makes everything seem worse than it is."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The histrionic performance of the actor captivated the audience, making them believe every word he said.
Example 2: Despite her histrionic gestures, we all knew she was just trying to get attention.
Example 3: The meeting was filled with histrionic complaints about the new rules, making it hard to focus on the discussion.
Fun Fact
The word 'histrionic' comes from the Latin word 'histrionicus', which means 'pertaining to an actor'. It has been used in English since the late 19th century to describe exaggerated behaviour similar to theatrical performances.
Famous Quote
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." - William Shakespeare
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "histrionic" mean?
a) Calm and quiet
b) Related to exaggerated emotions or drama
c) Very healthy
d) Exciting and fun
Answer: b) Related to exaggerated emotions or drama
2. Which of these is a synonym of "histrionic"?
a) Quiet
b) Theatrical
c) Simple
d) Boring
Answer: b) Theatrical
3. Which sentence uses "histrionic" correctly?
a) He gave a histrionic speech that made everyone laugh.
b) The histrionic cat climbed the tree quietly.
c) She showed histrionic feelings, acting overly dramatic during discussions.
d) They enjoyed a histrionic day at the park.
Answer: c) She showed histrionic feelings, acting overly dramatic during discussions.
4. Which idiom is related to "histrionic"?
a) All the worlds a stage
b) Cat's out of the bag
c) A drop in the ocean
d) Bite the bullet
Answer: a) All the worlds a stage
5. What is the opposite of "histrionic"?
a) Dull
b) Reserved
c) Loud
d) Bright
Answer: b) Reserved
