screenplay

noun

screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā How to pronounce screenplay (audio)
: the script and often shooting directions of a story prepared for motion-picture production

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 Directed by Osada Eri from a screenplay by Nagatsuki Tappei, the series will release in Japan in July, with entry into international markets to follow at an unconfirmed date closer to the year end. Patrick Frater, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, the screenplay comes courtesy of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the creators of Wednesday. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024 Gondry is set to direct from a screenplay by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024 Loki director Kate Herron is on board to work on the project, and will also co-write the screenplay alongside Briony Redman, per the outlets. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 The experience changed Cecilia, although Andrew Lobel’s screenplay seems uninterested in the details of that profound transformation. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 Nolan captured his fourth and fifth individual Oscar nominations for directing Oppenheimer and adapting its screenplay from Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s J. Robert Oppenheimer biography American Prometheus. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 First-time feature director Jefferson’s film became a surprise hit of awards season, and was nominated for the top prize, as well as for Jeffrey Wright’s lead performance, Sterling K. Brown’s supporting role, its score — and then winning adapted screenplay. Kate Aurthur, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 It also was nominated for its costume and production design, and for its screenplay, by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach. Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'screenplay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of screenplay was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near screenplay

Cite this Entry

“Screenplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screenplay. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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