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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Angelo and Schuker Blum penned the screenplay for 2023’s Dumb Money, which chronicled the January 2021 GameStop short squeeze and starred Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, America Ferrera and Nick Offerman. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026 The creative team features Gazi and Siddiqua on the original story, with screenplay by Gazi, Siddiqua and Sadia Khalid Reeti. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Jan. 2026 Allers also adapted the screenplay for the Lion King Broadway musical with Irene Mecchi, earning him a Tony nomination in 1998 for best book of a musical. Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026 After winning Oscars for their co-written screenplay Good Will Hunting in 1997, the dynamic duo continued dominating Hollywood and became the industry's favorite friends. Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 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 25 Jan. 2026.

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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