documentary

The word “documentary” means a film or program that presents facts about a real subject. In plain terms, a factual film, or something based on real records rather than fiction.

“Documentary” is pronounced dok-yuu-MEHN-tree (/ˌdɑ.kjəˈmɛn.tə.ɹi/ in IPA).

Here is “documentary” used in a sentence: “We watched a documentary about coral reefs last night.”

The opposite of “documentary” — its antonyms — is fiction.

Depending on how it is used, “documentary” can be a noun and an adjective.

The word “documentary” comes from French. From French documentaire, from document.

“Documentary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Documentary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a film or program that presents facts about a real subject.

A documentary presents facts about a real subject, often using real footage, interviews, and narration. A docudrama dramatizes real events using actors and scripted scenes, so it recreates reality rather than recording it directly.

A documentary genuinely presents facts about a real subject, while a mockumentary is a work of fiction that deliberately imitates the style of a documentary for comic or satirical effect. The mockumentary borrows the look of factual filmmaking but tells an invented story.

A documentary is usually a single self-contained film about a real subject, while a docuseries tells its factual story across multiple episodes. A docuseries allows a topic to be explored in more depth over several parts.