dramatically

dramatically — adverb

1. A change that is dramatic makes a situation clearly very different from what it

1.副詞B2
釋義

A change that is dramatic makes a situation clearly very different from what it was before — for example, a company's profits doubling in one year, or the temperature dropping from hot to freezing within hours.

例句

Adisa's energy level dropped dramatically after the long flight from Lagos.

collocation: drop dramatically

The number of visitors to the museum increased dramatically after the new exhibition opened.

collocation: increase dramatically

同義詞
  • significantly

    Softer than dramatically; focuses on importance rather than surprise or suddenness.

  • substantially

    More formal and neutral; suggests large size without the emotional weight of 'dramatically'.

  • sharply

    Implies a steep, clear direction of change (usually up or down); works best with numbers and prices.

  • considerably

    Focuses on degree; does not carry the sense of suddenness or theatricality.

反義詞
  • gradually

    Describes slow change over time, the opposite of suddenness.

  • slightly

    Describes a small degree of change, the opposite of a large degree.

  • subtly

    Describes change that is hard to notice, the opposite of obvious.

文法句型

verb + dramatically

dramatically + adjective

用法筆記

Most common with verbs of change — increase, decrease, improve, decline, shift, alter, change. Typically implies that the change is both large and surprising given the previous state.

常見錯誤

❌The temperature changed dramatically from summer to winter over several months.
✅The temperature changed dramatically when the cold front arrived in just three hours.
💡Dramatically usually implies a sudden or surprising shift, not a slow seasonal change.

2. If someone behaves or speaks dramatically, they do so in an exaggerated way that

2.副詞B2
釋義

If someone behaves or speaks dramatically, they do so in an exaggerated way that deliberately attracts attention, as if they were performing on a stage — for example, sighing loudly and pressing a hand to the chest upon hearing bad news, or throwing both arms up in the air to show frustration.

例句

Vinícius threw his hands up dramatically and shouted, "I can't take it anymore!"

shows exaggerated physical gestures

Anjali sighed dramatically and put a hand to her forehead when her brother told bad jokes.

collocation: sigh dramatically

同義詞
  • theatrically

    Almost identical in meaning; slightly more neutral and connected to actual theatre.

  • exaggeratedly

    Focuses on the overdone quality without the stage metaphor.

  • melodramatically

    More negative; suggests overly emotional behaviour in a trivial situation.

反義詞
  • subtly

    Describes understated, restrained behaviour.

  • naturally

    Describes behaviour that is genuine and not performed for an audience.

  • casually

    Describes relaxed, unforced behaviour.

文法句型

verb + dramatically

用法筆記

When describing real-life (non-stage) behaviour, can carry a mildly negative connotation, suggesting insincerity or attention-seeking. Neutral or positive when describing acting or performance. Often paired with verbs of speaking or gesturing: sigh, gasp, throw, pause, exclaim, weep.

常見錯誤

❌He dramatically walked into the room.
✅He threw the door open dramatically and marched into the room.
💡The action needs to clearly show theatricality; 'walked' alone does not convey exaggeration.