Added 10 October 2026
melodrama
/ˈmɛləˌdɹɑːmə/ noun
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about melodrama at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- An extravagant comedy in which action is more salient than characterization.
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)