playwright
Playwright (noun) means a person who writes plays for the theatre. Example: “Shakespeare remains the most famous playwright in the English language.”
How to Use Playwright
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who writes stage plays.
It's spelled "wright," not "write" — the word refers to a craftsman, like a wheelwright, not the verb "to write."
Word Forms
playwrights plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Shakespeare remains the most famous _____ in the English language.
Etymology
From play + wright ("a maker or builder") — literally a "maker of plays," on the same pattern as shipwright.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “playwright” mean?
The word “playwright” means a person who writes plays for the theatre. In plain terms, someone who writes stage plays.
How do you pronounce “playwright”?
“Playwright” is pronounced PLAY-ryt (/ˈpleɪˌɹaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “playwright” in a sentence?
Here is “playwright” used in a sentence: “Shakespeare remains the most famous playwright in the English language.”
What part of speech is “playwright”?
“Playwright” is a noun.
Is “playwright” a common word?
“Playwright” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.