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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Polley, who earned an Oscar for her script for 2022’s Women Talking, is penning the screenplay that adapts the book. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026 The screenplay also has a passing reference to Evy’s useless, off-screen boyfriend Darren (voiced by Ryan Turner). Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026 What to Expect From ‘Reminders of Him’ The film barely sways from the book, which has sold more than 6 million copies, a decision Caswill says was intentional after reading the screenplay by Lauren Levine and Hoover. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 11 Mar. 2026 Carney directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Peter McDonald. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 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 14 Mar. 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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