Hammy

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Exaggerated or overly theatrical in style, especially in acting or performance
2. Characterized by an exaggerated and often unrealistic approach, particularly in dramatic performances or artistic expressions
3. Marked by an overblown and theatrical style, particularly noticeable in performances or artistic portrayals

Etymology: Hammy comes from the actor's sense of "ham," a word that picked up its theatrical meaning from a backstage joke. Actors who overplayed their parts were said to be "ham actors," and "ham" came to mean a performer who acted with excessive, showy gestures. The earlier noun "ham" is the ordinary word for cured pork thigh, so the link is to the meat, not a flattering comparison. The adjective is simpler. It is formed by adding the suffix "-y," an Old English ending meaning "full of" or "having the quality of," to "ham." That suffix is common in English, turning nouns like "dirt" into "dirty" or "wind" into "windy," so the word follows a familiar pattern.

Synonyms: overacted, exaggerated, dramatic, theatrical, melo-dramatic

Antonyms: subtle, understated, realistic, genuine