Theater — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈthē-ə-tər/ the·ater

Meaning & Definition of Theater

Theater (noun)

  1. a building or area for dramatic performances
  2. a building or area for showing movies
  3. an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome

Theater (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a theater of operations

Theater (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a building or part of a building where movies are shown

    "there's still one theater in town that shows independent films"

    similar: cinema, playhouse
    related: nickelodeon, megaplex, multiplex, plex, art house, art theater, cinematheque, fleapit (British), grind house, drive-in

  2. the public performance of plays

    "have been fascinated by the theater ever since I was a child"

    similar: drama, dramatics, stage, theatricals, theatrics
    related: boards, acting, footlights, entertainment, showbiz, show business, amusement, distraction, diversion, recreation, exhibition, pageant, pageantry, presentation, production, show, spectacle

  3. a large room or building for enclosed public gatherings

    "the lecturer waited until the theater was full before beginning"

    similar: amphitheater, arena, auditorium, garden, hall
    related: arena theater, music hall, odeum, playhouse, theater-in-the-round, ballroom, lyceum, chamber, house, senate, cafetorium

Related Entry: Theater-in-the-round (noun)

Theater-in-the-round is a different word from Theater. The synonyms below are for theater-in-the-round, not for theater.

  1. as in music hall, arena theater

    similar: arena theater, music hall, odeum, playhouse, amphitheater, arena, auditorium, garden, hall, theater, ballroom, lyceum, chamber, house, senate, cafetorium

Related Entry: Arena theater (noun)

Arena theater is a different word from Theater. The synonyms below are for arena theater, not for theater.

  1. as in music hall, theater-in-the-round

    similar: music hall, odeum, playhouse, theater-in-the-round, amphitheater, arena, auditorium, garden, hall, theater, ballroom, lyceum, chamber, house, senate, cafetorium

Related Entry: Art theater (noun)

Art theater is a different word from Theater. The synonyms below are for art theater, not for theater.

  1. as in art house, cinematheque

    similar: art house, cinematheque, megaplex, multiplex, plex, fleapit (British), grind house, nickelodeon, drive-in, cinema, playhouse, theater

Related Entry: Home theater (noun)

Home theater is a different word from Theater. The synonyms below are for home theater, not for theater.

  1. as in home video

    similar: home video, LCD, plasma, boob tube, box, idiot box, television, telly (chiefly British), tube, TV

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Theater

The most common words with a similar meaning to Theater:

cinema, playhouse, drama, dramatics, stage, theatricals, theatrics, amphitheater, arena, auditorium, garden, hall

Related Words for Theater

nickelodeon, megaplex, multiplex, plex, art house, art theater, cinematheque, fleapit, grind house, drive-in, boards, acting, footlights, entertainment, showbiz, show business, amusement, distraction, diversion, recreation, exhibition, pageant, pageantry, presentation, production, show, spectacle, arena theater, music hall, odeum

Origin & Etymology of Theater

Middle English teatre, theatre, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French thueatre, teatre, borrowed from Latin theātrum "place for viewing dramatic performances," borrowed from Greek théātron, from theā́omai, theâsthai "to gaze at, view, watch, contemplate" (derivative of théā "act of seeing, sight, spectacle, performance," of uncertain origin) + -tron, suffix of instruments

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Theater

Words & Phrases Containing Theater

theater-in-the-round, theater of operations, theater of the absurd, theater of war, arena theater, art theater, dinner theater, guerrilla theater

Frequently Asked Questions about Theater

What does "Theater" mean?

"Theater" means a building or area for dramatic performances. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a building or area for dramatic performances. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Theater"?

Other words for "Theater" include cinema, playhouse, drama, dramatics, stage, theatricals, theatrics and amphitheater. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Theater" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Theater"?

There are 49 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Theater". Common alternatives include cinema, playhouse, drama, dramatics, stage, theatricals, theatrics, amphitheater, arena and auditorium.

How do you use "Theater" in a sentence?

Examples of "Theater" in a sentence: "there's still one theater in town that shows independent films"; "have been fascinated by the theater ever since I was a child"; "the lecturer waited until the theater was full before beginning".

Is "Theater" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Theater" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Theater" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Theater" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Theater"?

"Theater" is pronounced /ˈthē-ə-tər/ and divided into syllables as the·ater.

What is the origin of the word "Theater"?

"Theater" comes from Middle English teatre, theatre, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French thueatre, teatre, borrowed from Latin theātrum "place for viewing dramatic performances," borrowed from Greek théātron, from theā́omai, theâsthai "to gaze at, view, watch, contemplate" (derivative of théā "act of seeing, sight, spectacle, performance," of uncertain origin) + -tron, suffix of instruments. First known use: before 12th century.