# melodrama

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmɛləˌdɹɑːmə/ · frequency rank #27,214

## Definitions
1. A kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes.
2. A drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic.
3. A passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks.
4. Any situation or action which is blown out of proportion.

## Etymology
From French mélodrame, the second element refashioned by analogy with drama; ultimately from Ancient Greek μέλος (mélos, “limb”, “member”, “song”, “tune”, “melody”) + δρᾶμα (drâma, “deed”, “theatrical act”). Compare melodrame. Cognate to German Melodram and Spanish melodrama.

## Common misspellings (13)
`emlodrama`, `meldorama`, `mellodrama`, `melodarma`, `meloddrama`, `melodraam`, `melodramma`, `melodrmaa`, `melodrrama`, `melordama`, `meoldrama`, `mleodrama`, `mmelodrama`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/melodrama