playwright
/ˈpleɪ.raɪt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A playwright is a person who writes plays for theatre. They create the dialogue, characters, and stage action.
- Shakespeare was a famous playwright.
- The playwright wrote a drama about family life.
- She hopes to become a playwright one day.
Adinary Nuance
A playwright is not the same as a screenwriter or novelist. A playwright writes for the stage, so the work must suit live actors and an audience. The word is more specific than writer, which can mean many kinds of authors.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Nhà viết kịch
- Spanish
- Dramaturgo
- Chinese
- 剧作家
- Japanese
- 劇作家
- Korean
- 극작가
Etymology
Playwright comes from English play + wright. The word wright is an old word meaning 'maker' or 'builder', used from the 16th century.
Common phrases
famous playwrightcontemporary playwrightplaywright and directoraward-winning playwright
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is playwright the same as writer?
- Not exactly. A playwright is a writer who writes plays for theatre.
- Is playwright used for movies too?
- No. For movies, we usually say screenwriter or scriptwriter.
- Is playwright a formal word?
- Yes, it is fairly formal and common in books, news, and academic writing.