semidocumentary

noun

semi·​doc·​u·​men·​ta·​ry ˌse-mē-ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-tə-rē How to pronounce semidocumentary (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-,
-ˈmen-trē
: a motion picture that uses many details taken from actual events or situations in presenting a fictional story
semidocumentary adjective

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of semidocumentary was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near semidocumentary

Cite this Entry

“Semidocumentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semidocumentary. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on semidocumentary

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY