film
/fɪlm/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A film is a story told with moving pictures and sound. It can be shown in a cinema, on TV, or online.
- We watched a film last night.
- This film is based on a true story.
- She studies film at university.
verb
If you film something, you record it with a camera. It can mean making a video or movie scene.
- Please film the concert from the front row.
- He filmed the interview on his phone.
- They filmed in Mumbai last winter.
Adinary Nuance
Film is the most general word for a movie, and it sounds neutral in both speech and writing. Movie is more common in everyday American English, while film is often preferred in British English and in formal or academic writing. Writers also use film when they want a slightly serious or artistic tone.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phim
- Spanish
- película
- Chinese
- 电影
- Japanese
- 映画
- Korean
- 영화
Etymology
Film came into English in the 1500s from Old English and Old High German words meaning a thin layer or covering. The meaning “movie” developed in the early 1900s, from the old celluloid strip used for recording pictures.
Common phrases
a film critica film festivalfilm industryfilm studies
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is film more formal than movie?
- Yes, often. **Film** sounds a little more formal, especially in writing and study.
- Can I use film for any movie?
- Yes. You can use **film** for most movies, old or new.
- What is the verb form of film?
- The verb **film** means to record something with a camera.
- Is film common in IELTS or academic writing?
- Yes. **Film** is common in academic topics like media, culture, and art.