film
17 synonyms and 0 antonyms for film, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A movie; a sequence of moving images meant to be watched as a narrative or artistic work.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use film
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English filmen, meaning "thin skin" or "membrane" — the sense of a "coating" came first, and by the late 1800s it extended to the chemical coating on photographic plates, then to movies themselves.
Full origin of film →Frequently asked questions
What does “film” mean?
The word “film” means a movie; a sequence of moving images meant to be watched as a narrative or artistic work. In plain terms, usually means a movie, but can also mean any thin coating or layer, or the act of recording something on camera.
How do you pronounce “film”?
“Film” is pronounced fihlm (/fɪlm/ in IPA).
How do you use “film” in a sentence?
Here is “film” used in a sentence: “They watched a classic film at the local cinema.”
What part of speech is “film”?
Depending on how it is used, “film” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “film” come from?
The word “film” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Old English. From Old English filmen, meaning "thin skin" or "membrane" — the sense of a "coating" came first, and by the late 1800s it extended to the chemical coating on photographic plates, then to movies themselves.
Is “film” a common word?
“Film” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “film” have?
“Film” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a movie; a sequence of moving images meant to be watched as a narrative or artistic work.
What is the difference between a film and a movie?
They mean the same thing — a story told in moving images. The difference is tone and region. Film is more common in British English and often implies something artistic or serious. Movie is more common in American English and feels more casual. Either word describes the same thing you watch on screen.
What are the types of films?
Films are usually grouped by genre: comedy, drama, action, horror, romance, science fiction, and documentary, among others. They also divide by form, such as feature films, short films, and animated films. Each type shapes what a viewer expects, but all share the same basis of moving images telling a story.
Does film only mean a movie?
No. In photography, film is the thin, light-sensitive strip once used in cameras to capture images. More broadly, film can mean any thin layer or coating, such as a film of dust or oil. This entry, though, covers the most familiar sense — a movie.
What is an example of a film?
Any full-length work you watch on screen, from a Hollywood blockbuster to an animated feature or an independent drama, is a film. A two-hour story shown in a cinema, streamed at home, or screened at a festival all count. The form matters less than the moving, narrative images.