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

Burch’s brilliantly witty, biting and all-knowing screenplay never satirizes these characters or looks down on them in a movie Jones and his exceptional actors have blessed with sheer humanity and grace. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Alejandra Moffat co-wrote the screenplay for Donkey Princess with the directors. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026

According to a search of the internet, was his first screenplay. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

The documents also described Swift as appearing to go along with Lively’s efforts to take control of the film’s screenplay from Baldoni. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 31 July 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