screenplay

noun

screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā 

: the script and often shooting directions of a story prepared for movie production

Synonyms of screenplay

• script

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

To apply, writers from the eligible regions should submit a treatment and the first 15 pages of a feature-length genre screenplay. —Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026

You, Me & Tuscany was directed by Kat Coiro from a screenplay by Ryan Engle (Beast) and is Packer’s first feature credit since 2023. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026

The new adaptation has to figure out how to update the screenplay to avoid the mostly exploitational way such relationships were treated in the dramas of the 1970s. —Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026

In John Hughes’ original screenplay, his character Blane — the dreamy rich kid who wins working-class Andie Walsh’s heart — didn’t actually deserve her. —Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for screenplay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

screenplay

noun

screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā 

: the written form of a story prepared for film production