2 syllables: Dra, ma. Stress on Dra.
DRAH-muh
/ˈdɹɑmə/
Drama is pronounced DRAH-muh (/ˈdɹɑmə/). It has two syllables (Dra-ma), with the stress on "Dra". Drama refers to literature or media designed to be performed in front of an audience, typically involving scripted dialogue and enacted scenes. It can denote a genre, a single dramatic work, or the craft of acting and stage performance. More broadly, the term also describes heightened emotional or sensational events. It is commonly used in education, theatre, film, and everyday conversation about performance and conflict.
nounDrama refers to literature or media designed to be performed in front of an audience, typically involving scripted dialogue and enacted scenes. It can denote a genre, a single dramatic work, or the craft of acting and stage performance. More broadly, the term also describes heightened emotional or sensational events. It is commonly used in education, theatre, film, and everyday conversation about performance and conflict.
- Misplacing stress on the second syllable or over-enunciating the second syllable, leading to /ˈdræ.mə/ vs. /ˈdræ.mər/; fix by keeping second syllable weakly reduced as /mə/ and practice with fast tempo. - Over-articulating the /d/ or the /r/ in the onset, producing a harsh start; soften the /d/ and let the /r/ flow naturally into the vowel. - Ignoring the schwa in the second syllable, giving it a full vowel; practice with a quick, neutral /ə/ via relaxed jaw and relaxed tongue muscles.
"The school put on a new drama production this spring."
"Her dramatic performance earned the ensemble a standing ovation."
"There was a lot of drama at the meeting, with heated arguments and accusations."
Pronounce drama as /ˈdræ.mə/ in US English and /ˈdrɑː.mə/ in many UK varieties; stress on the first syllable. Start with a short, lax /æ/ as in 'cat' (US) or a broader /ɑː/ in UK/AU accents, followed by a soft /mə/ with a schwa. You’ll want crisp, brief onset /dr-/ with the /r/ at the tongue’s center and a relaxed final syllable. Audio reference: imagine a quick, clear 'DRAH-muh' if you’re in UK contexts.
Two common errors: (1) Over-elongating the first syllable turning it into /ˈdræː.mə/; (2) Rendering the second syllable as a distinct full vowel rather than a schwa, like /ˈdræ.mɒ/ or /ˈdræ.mɑː/. Correction: keep the first syllable short and stressed, using a quick /æ/ or /ɑː/ depending on your accent, and reduce the second to a quick /mə/ with a neutral vowel. Practice with a light, unstressed ending to mirror natural speech.
In US English, /ˈdræ.mə/ with a clear /æ/ and a schwa in the second syllable. UK/AU often favor /ˈdrɑː.mə/ or /ˈdræ.mə/ depending on regional variation; non-rhotic accents may de-emphasize the /r/ and make the first syllable more open. Australians commonly use /ˈdræ.mə/ or /ˈdrɑː.mə/, with a subtle vowel difference between /æ/ and /ɑː/. The key difference is the first vowel quality and rhoticity in the final syllable.
The difficulty lies in achieving the correct vowel quality in the first syllable and producing a natural, quick schwa in the second syllable. In some accents the /r/ is subtle or non-rhotic, making the onset feel different. Additionally, balancing a crisp /d/ and a relaxed /mə/ without over-articulating the second syllable requires careful mouth positioning and timing. Practicing minimal pairs helps stabilize the vowel and rhythm.
A distinctive feature is the short, clipped onset /dr/ blend followed by a reduced second syllable. In careful speech, you might hear /ˈdræ.mə/ with a fast, nearly schwa second syllable. In some UK contexts, you may hear a longer /ɑː/ in the first syllable, so be aware this can shift by region. Tracking the precise tongue position for /dr/—tip behind upper teeth with a raised blade—helps you land the blend accurately.
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- US: rhoticity is strong; the /r/ is pronounced, so you’ll hear /dræ.mə/ with a clear /r/. The first vowel is open: /æ/ as in cat. - UK: often non-rhotic in casual speech; you may hear /ˈdræ.mə/ or /ˈdrɑː.mə/ depending on region—first vowel may be /æ/ or /ɑː/. - AU: varies; can be /ˈdræ.mə/ or /ˈdrɑː.mə/ with less pronounced /r/; focus on the first vowel quality. Reference IPA: US /ˈdræ.mə/, UK /ˈdrɑː.mə/; AU often /ˈdræ.mə/ or /ˈdrɑː.mə/. - Core tips: keep the second syllable reduced /mə/; avoid explicit vowel in final syllable; maintain steady tempo between syllables to reflect natural speech.
Drama originates from the Greek word drama, meaning 'a thing done' or 'an act'. The root is dran/dran (to do, to perform), linked to derma (skin) in some early metaphorical senses, though the core sense later shifted to action and performance. In classical Greek theater, used as a general term for action or a narrative meant for stage presentation. The Latin drama borrowed from Greek drama, and by the late 16th century in English, drama had become a genre designation for works intended to be performed, distinct from poetry or prose. The modern sense—storytelling through dialogue and performance—solidified in the Renaissance and onward, with the term expanding to include film and television scripts in contemporary usage. First known use in English as drama, inherited from Latin and Greek predecessors, appears in the 16th century, aligning with the rise of professional theater and literary study. The evolution reflects a narrowing from broad action to a structured performance medium, though the word remains flexible to describe any performative narrative across media.
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Words that rhyme with "Drama"
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