screenplay
gb/skɹˈinplˌeɪ/ us/skɹˈinplˌeɪ/
B2
English
~ 9700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
script for a film or TV show
A written text that shows what actors say and do in a movie or TV show, and how the scenes are arranged.
Usage pattern:
write [a] screenplay for [a film/TV show]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "screenplay" with "play". A "play" is written for live theater on a stage, while a "screenplay" is written for a film or TV screen. Learners also sometimes use "screenplay" for any written text of a video, but for news videos or YouTube clips, "script" is usually more natural.
Synonyms
script (More general; can refer to the written text for films, TV shows, plays, radio, or other performances, not only movies.)
|
screen script (Less common; used mainly in film contexts to stress that the script is for the screen.)
Antonyms
improvisation (Refers to performing without a prepared, written text, which contrasts with using a structured screenplay.)
Collocations
write a screenplay
|adapt a screenplay
|screenplay writer
|original screenplay
|adapted screenplay
|award-winning screenplay
Themes
art
|media
|work
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The film won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
- She spent three years writing the screenplay before the movie was finally produced.
- The director asked the writer to revise the final scene in the screenplay.
- His debut screenplay was picked up by a major Hollywood studio.
- The series follows the same story as the novel, but the television screenplay changes several key characters.
Learner examples
- He wrote a screenplay for a short film.
- The director did not like the first version of the screenplay.
- Her screenplay has strong dialogue and clear characters.
- They are looking for a good screenplay to make into a movie.
- I want to learn how to write a screenplay.
Grammar
Dictionary form
screenplay
IPA
GB/skɹˈinplˌeɪ/
US/skɹˈinplˌeɪ/
Syllables & stress
screen - play (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (screen)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: screenplay
- Plural: screenplays
Word family
Forms
screenplays
noun
Core family
screenwriter
noun B2
screenwriting
noun
Related words
script
noun B1
scriptwriter
noun
Expressions
adapted screenplay
1/ədˈæptɪd skɹˈinplˌeɪ/
fixed phrase
technical
screenplay based on another work
A screenplay that comes from another work, such as a book, play, comic, or earlier movie.
Examples
- The film won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
- Writing an adapted screenplay means changing the original story so it works on screen.
original screenplay
1/ɚˈɪd͡ʒənəl skɹˈinplˌeɪ/
fixed phrase
screenplay not based on earlier work
A screenplay that is a new story and is not taken from a book, play, or other earlier work.
Examples
- The movie received several nominations, including Best Original Screenplay.
- She prefers working on original screenplays rather than adaptations.
screenplay by
1/skɹˈinplˌeɪ bˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
credit line for the screenwriter
Words used in film credits to show the person who wrote the screenplay.
Examples
- The opening titles read, "Screenplay by Jordan Peele."
- On the poster it says, "Screenplay by Greta Gerwig," under the film's title.