screenplay

noun

screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā 

: the script and often shooting directions of a story prepared for movie production

Synonyms

• script

Examples of screenplay in a Sentence

an award for best screenplay

each actor will be given a copy of the screenplay to study

Recent Examples on the Web

Gunn, who also wrote the screenplay, avoids the origin story route as the action picks up with Kent already established as a reporter at the Daily Planet and Superman a beloved superhero fixture — but Luthor has a plan to change that. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

The screenplay was written by Tom Edmunds and Craig McInnes, based on an original story by McInnes. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 7 July 2025

Caitlin Parrish & Erica Weiss and Logan Miller & Noah Miller wrote the screenplay, from a story by Logan Miller & Noah Miller. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 July 2025

The risible ending lets down both actors, each of whom give it their all (especially Glusman) while the screenplay feels like there are chunks of character motivations and development tossed into the trash. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 4 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for screenplay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

screenplay

noun

screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā 

: the written form of a story prepared for film production