Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

ham-acting

noun

/ˈham ˈaktɪŋ/

Definition

A style of acting that is exaggerated and overly dramatic, often to the point of being silly or unconvincing.

Examples

His performance was pure ham-acting; it made the serious scene feel ridiculous.
Despite the ham-acting, the movie was a box-office success due to its entertaining plot.

Meaning

Ham-acting refers to performance that lacks authenticity, characterized by exaggerated gestures and over-the-top expressions that draw attention away from the story.