screenplay

noun

screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā 

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

Synonyms of screenplay

• 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

Ruiz Caldera wanted Romero in the lead, although the comedian worried that viewers would expect jokes from a screenplay containing almost none. — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026

The film is directed by Skjoldbjærg from a screenplay by Kathrine Valen Zeiner and Maren Skolem. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

John Rice directed the film based on a screenplay by Thurop Van Orman, with John Cohen, Dan Chuba, Carla Connor and Namit Malhotra producing. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026

Koontz’s novelization of Larry Block’s screenplay (for Tobe Hooper’s 1981 film) has the dubious distinction of being one of the best movie novelizations ever written. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for screenplay

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

Kids Definition

screenplay

noun

screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā 

: the written form of a story prepared for film production