histrionic

views updated

his·tri·on·ic / ˌhistrēˈänik/ • adj. overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style: a histrionic outburst. ∎ formal of or concerning actors or acting: histrionic talents. ∎  Psychiatry denoting a personality disorder marked by shallow, volatile emotions, and attention-seeking behavior.• n. 1. (histrionics) exaggerated dramatic behavior designed to attract attention: discussions around the issue have been based as much in histrionics as in history. ∎  dramatic performance; theater.2. archaic an actor.DERIVATIVES: his·tri·on·i·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.

More From encyclopedia.com