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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Kinney co-wrote the screenplay of the adaptation, which is named after the series' ninth entry but incorporates plot points from the 7th, 8th, and 10th books. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025 At the time, the project had Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci, comedians behind the musical comedy duo Garfunkel & Oates, slated to write original music for the film, with Lindhome expected to write the film’s screenplay. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 Dec. 2025 And while Jay Kelly stars George Clooney and Adam Sandler were nominated for acting awards, the film itself wasn’t nominated for best picture, nor was director and co-writer Noah Baumbach in the director and screenplay categories. Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 8 Dec. 2025 The film’s success was across the board; apart from the main prize and the inevitable Best International win, there were noms for directing, screenplay, editing and production design. Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025 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 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

screenplay

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

More from Merriam-Webster on screenplay

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