How Do You Spell MELODRAMA?

Pronunciation: [mˌɛlədɹˈɑːmə] (IPA)

Melodrama is a word that is frequently misspelled. It is important to note that the correct spelling of this word is /ˈmelədrɑːmə/ (meh-luh-drah-muh). The first syllable is pronounced with a short "e" sound and the second syllable is pronounced with a long "o" sound. The letters "dr" in the middle should be pronounced as a blend, with the "d" and "r" sounds running together. Be sure to spell melodrama correctly in your writing and speech to avoid confusion.

MELODRAMA Meaning and Definition

  1. Melodrama is a genre of dramatic entertainment that originated in the 18th century and thrived during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is characterized by its exaggerated and sensationalized storytelling, often focusing on thrilling or emotionally charged situations and featuring a clear delineation between good and evil characters.

    The term melodrama is derived from the Greek words melos, meaning "music," and drama, meaning "action." This highlights one of the key elements of melodrama: the incorporation of emotional music or background scores to heighten the audience's emotional response. Melodramas typically employ a range of stock characters, such as the virtuous and innocent heroine, the dashing hero, the villainous antagonist, and side characters that provide comic relief or support for the main characters.

    One of melodrama's defining characteristics is its tendency to manipulate the audience's emotions. This is achieved through the use of exaggerated gestures, facial expressions, and dialogue, intended to elicit sympathy or provoke a strong emotional reaction. Melodramas often delve into themes of love, betrayal, revenge, sacrifice, and redemption, portraying intense and tragic situations.

    Throughout its history, melodrama has been presented in various forms, including stage plays, novels, films, and television shows. While melodramas were once highly popular, the genre has evolved over time, with contemporary interpretations often incorporating elements of irony and self-awareness to both celebrate and critique the traditional melodramatic style.

    In summary, melodrama is a dramatic genre characterized by its exaggerated storytelling, intense emotional situations, and use of music to elicit emotional responses from the audience.

  2. A dramatic performance in which songs are intermixed.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for MELODRAMA *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for MELODRAMA

Etymology of MELODRAMA

The word "melodrama" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "melos" meaning "song" or "music", and "drama" meaning "action" or "play". The term was initially used in the 18th century to describe a specific type of play characterized by exaggerated emotions, sensational plots, and a strong emphasis on music. These plays often featured arias or other musical interludes to intensify the emotional impact. Over time, "melodrama" broadened its scope to refer to any work of drama or fiction that emphasizes strong emotions and sensationalism.

Similar spelling words for MELODRAMA

Plural form of MELODRAMA is MELODRAMAS

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