—adj.
1 of or for the theatre; of acting or actors.
2 (of a manner, speech, gesture, or person) calculated for effect; showy, artificial, affected.
—n. (in pl.)
1 dramatic performances (amateur theatricals).
2 theatrical actions.
Derivatives:
theatricalism n. theatricality n. theatricalize v.tr. (also -ise). theatricalization n. theatrically adv.
Etymology: LL theatricus f. Gk theatrikos f. theatron THEATRE
Useful english dictionary. 2012.