noun
(archaic, uncountable) A kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes.
(countable) A drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic.
(countable, opera) A passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks.
(uncountable, figuratively, colloquial) Any situation or action which is blown out of proportion.