dramatis personae
plural noun
dra·ma·tis per·so·nae
ˌdra-mə-təs-pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē 
ˌdrä-,
-ˌnī
1
: the characters or actors in a drama
2
singular in construction
: a list of the characters or actors in a drama
3
: people who figure prominently in something (such as an event)
Examples of dramatis personae in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Among the complicated web of interrelated islanders, who are thankfully listed in the book’s dramatis personae, is Garrick Williams, the pompous local pastor who harbors a shameful secret.
—
Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2024
Its dramatis personae includes that paragon of English manhood, Ben Avery, the likable scoundrel Colonel Blood and, not least, Sheba, the ultrasexy pirate queen who, anachronistically, favors Gucci thigh-high boots.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
And Jones too often clutters up scenes with body doubles mimicking motions of the dramatis personae.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 4 Aug. 2023
Compounding the uneasiness, the ensemble introduces the dramatis personae in strokes that can seem unnecessarily broad.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2023
See all Example Sentences for dramatis personae 
Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2024
Its dramatis personae includes that paragon of English manhood, Ben Avery, the likable scoundrel Colonel Blood and, not least, Sheba, the ultrasexy pirate queen who, anachronistically, favors Gucci thigh-high boots.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
And Jones too often clutters up scenes with body doubles mimicking motions of the dramatis personae.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 4 Aug. 2023
Compounding the uneasiness, the ensemble introduces the dramatis personae in strokes that can seem unnecessarily broad.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2023
See all Example Sentences for dramatis personae
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dramatis personae.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Dramatis personae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dramatis%20personae. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dramatis personae
plural noun
dra·ma·tis per·so·nae
ˌdram-ət-əs-pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē
ˌdräm-,
-ˌnī
: the characters or actors in a play
Etymology
modern Latin
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