screenplay

noun

screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā How to pronounce screenplay (audio)
Synonyms of screenplaynext
: the script and often shooting directions of a story prepared for movie production

Synonyms of screenplay

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
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The film went on to win the Oscar for best original screenplay for Jordan. Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026 Boyle will also rewrite the screenplay, based on an earlier draft by Natalie Conway and Peter Stanley-Ward. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026 Its screenplay was a collaboration between the book’s author, Helen Fielding, rom-com master Richard Curtis (though the less said about Love, Actually the better), and Andrew Davies, who previously adapted Pride and Prejudice in the iconic BBC miniseries. Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026 One in 4,000 screenplays results in a profitable theatrical outcome. Daren Smith, IndieWire, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for screenplay

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of screenplay was in 1920

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Cite this Entry

“Screenplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screenplay. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

screenplay

noun
screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā How to pronounce screenplay (audio)
: the written form of a story prepared for film production

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