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Glite Dictionary
untheatrical

untheatrical

6.8
Not dramatic or showy
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈθiːətrɪkəl/
translation icon : no teatral
  • The speaker gave an untheatrical presentation that focused on facts rather than drama.

Examples

  • "Under normal circumstances, this would have resulted in a dramatically static musical with untheatrical, action-stopping songs.

    Academic text (2009)

  • He surprised her by turning out to be shy in bed, or maybe he was just profoundly untheatrical.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • He called for an untheatrical theater.

    Academic text (1996)

  • TO ME, IT'S THE MOST MISERABLE AND UNTHEATRICAL METHOD OF SUICIDE.

    Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955)

  • She admired his untheatrical approach to acting, emphasizing realism over theatrics.

  • The author preferred an untheatrical style in her writing, avoiding exaggerated emotions.

Synonyms

nontheatrical
vsuntheatrical
5.6

Shown outside cinemas, for example in schools or libraries

is about lacking stage-like qualities rather than being meant for performance
non-dramatic
vsuntheatrical
4.1

Not intended as a play or stage show

focuses on poor suitability for stage rather than lack of dramatic genre

Antonyms

dramatic
358 3.6

Very noticeable and meant to get attention, like a long pause or strong gesture

theatrical
98 4.8

Related to the theatre or showing strong feeling in a dramatic way like an actor on stage

How Theatrical

over-the-top
61 5.2
showy
8 3.2
theatrical
98 4.8
untheatrical
6.8
understated
27 6.5

Surface Forms

untheatrical positive

Morphology

untheatrical = theatrical (transparent) = un + theatr + ical

The negating prefix 'un-' attaches directly to the adjective 'theatrical', producing a straightforward opposite meaning.

Etymology

Untheatrical starts with un- meaning 'not' and comes from theatre, the place where actors perform. So untheatrical means 'not like the stage', plain and not dramatic.