histrionics

histrionics

See also: histriònics

English

WOTD – 11 October 2010

Etymology

See histrionic.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /hɪstɹiˈɒnɪks/
• (US) enPR: hĭs-trē-änʹĭks, IPA^(key): /hɪstɹiˈɑnɪks/
• (Northern California)

  (file)

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɒnɪks

Noun

histrionics pl (plural only)

1. Exaggerated, overemotional behaviour, especially when calculated to elicit a response; melodramatics.

   I’m tired of Mary’s histrionics.

Usage notes

• Do not confuse histrionics with hysterics.

Synonyms

• (exaggerated behaviour): drama, melodrama, melodramatics

Hyponyms

• testrionics

Translations

exaggerated, overemotional behaviour

Catalan: histrionisme m Finnish: tunteilu (fi), huomionkipeys French: histrionisme (fr), théâtralisme (fr)

German: theatralisches Getue n Russian: вы́ходка (ru) f (výxodka), сце́на (ru) f (scéna) Spanish: histrionismo m, teatralismo

See also

• histrionic

Anagrams

• trichinosis