playwright

noun

play·​wright ˈplā-ˌrīt How to pronounce playwright (audio)
: a person who writes plays

Examples of playwright in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Screenwriter and playwright Tony Kushner has defended Jonathan Glazer‘s Oscar speech against critics. William Earl, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 The story was originally written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen back in 1882, and centers around a man of science who has proof that local contaminated bath water will cause illness and even death. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024 The play was originally written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen in 1882. Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024 The musical’s book was written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, who set the story in a Los Angeles rehearsal studio a few days before the launch of Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 This high-flying musical has been thrilling audiences of all ages for close to 70 years and is being brought back to life in a new adaptation by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse, director and Emmy Award winner Lonny Price, and choreography by Lorin Latarro. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 29 Feb. 2024 His father, Phillip, was an engineer and his mother, Mildred, a journalist and playwright. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024 So when Mohegan playwright and performer Madeline Sayet steps on the Folger Theatre stage and relays that experience with wit, warmth and mournful reflection, her articulation of that erasure speaks volumes. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 Then our Japanese producers, Eriko Miyagawa and Hiroyuki Sanada — who is also our star — oversaw that moment between taking it from the playwright and giving it to our actors to perform. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'playwright.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

play entry 1 + obsolete wright maker — more at wright

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of playwright was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near playwright

Cite this Entry

“Playwright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playwright. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

playwright

noun
play·​wright ˈplā-ˌrīt How to pronounce playwright (audio)
: a person who writes plays
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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