playwright

noun

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

Examples of playwright in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All the more so in the case of the characters in the British playwright Joe White’s Blackout Songs, who can’t remember any details of their first night together. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2026 Buckley plays the wife of a struggling playwright named William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal, whose Oscar omission was a surprise). Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 28 Jan. 2026 The script was written by Wish Collective, a group of five women playwrights. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026 They became popularized by the playwright in his hit 1979 production Zoot Suit, which was the first big acting break for Edward James Olmos. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playwright

Word History

Etymology

play entry 2 + 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

Cite this Entry

“Playwright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playwright. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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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