theatrically

UK: /θɪˈætrɪkəlɪ/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

the•at•ri•cal /θiˈætrɪkəl/   adj. Also, theˈat•ric. 

1. Show Business of or relating to the theater.
2. suggestive of the theater and therefore not real;
   artificial;
   showy:
   theatrical temper tantrums.

the•at•ri•cal•ly, adv.:

"They're all out to get me!'' he exclaimed theatrically.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

the•at•ri•cal  (thē a′tri kəl), adj. Also, the•at′ric. 

1. Show Business of or pertaining to the theater or dramatic presentations:
   theatrical performances.
2. suggestive of the theater or of acting; artificial, pompous, spectacular, or extravagantly histrionic:
   a theatrical display of grief.

n. 

3. theatricals:
   • Show Business dramatic performances, now esp. as given by amateurs.
   • artificial or histrionic actions.
4. Show Business a professional actor:
   a family of renowned theatricals.

• Greek theātrikós, equivalent. to theá̄tr(on) theater + -ikos -ic + -al¹
• Late Latin theātric(us)
• 1550–60

the•at•ri•cal•i•ty  (thē a′tri kal′i tē), the•at′ri•cal•ness, n.  the•at′ri•cal•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 2. exaggerated, melodramatic, stagy, extravagant.