scriptwriter

noun script·writ·er \ ˈskrip(t)-ˌrī-tər \

|Updated on: 3 Jun 2018

Definition of scriptwriter

: a person who writes scripts

See scriptwriter defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of scriptwriter from the Web

Creating a coherent branching narrative of this scope would be exceedingly difficult for even the most experienced and accomplished Hollywood scriptwriter.

— kyle orland, Ars Technica, "Detroit: Become Human review: Robotic in all of the wrong ways," 24 May 2018
The scriptwriters, wisely, are vague about dates and avoid naming presidents or public figures.

— rena gross, Billboard, "'The Handmaid's Tale': Season 2, Episode 3 Recap – 9 Heavy Moments From 'Baggage'," 2 May 2018
But by keeping a fly-on-the-wall low profile that requires eschewing interview possibilities, Hirori and Kamal never get under their taciturn protagonist's skin in the manner of Bigelow's scriptwriter Mark Boal.

— neil young, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Deminer': Film Review | IDFA 2017," 27 Nov. 2017
Cecil is set to oversee a team of about 60 people — including videographers, graphics designers and scriptwriters employed in-house to conceptualize and produce pre-roll video ads, specialty websites and email fundraising pitches.

— ed o'keefe, Washington Post, "Democratic PAC Priorities USA budgeting $50 million for digital ads in 2018," 2 Nov. 2017
Yours may well be the only show there that doesn’t use a director or a scriptwriter.

— jon pareles, New York Times, "Bruce Springsteen on Broadway: The Boss on His ‘First Real Job’," 27 Sep. 2017
The problem for the scriptwriters would be the absence of a villain for Ms. Yellen to fight, now that inflation seems to have all but disappeared.

— james mackintosh, WSJ, "Inflation’s Low. That’s Not Enough To Justify Expensive Stock Markets," 14 Sep. 2017
One of their two boys, John Marshall, reviewed multiple drafts of the movie’s script and helped the scriptwriters capture his dad.

— Washington Post, "Thurgood Marshall movie faithful to the facts, and the man," 29 Oct. 2017
Finally, apply a scriptwriter’s knack for drama and suspense that needs no ludicrous cliffhangers to enthrall history buffs and professionals alike.

— josef joffe, New York Times, "The First Totalitarian," 19 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scriptwriter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.