film
fihlm
Film (noun) means a movie; a sequence of moving images meant to be watched as a narrative or artistic work. Example: “They watched a classic film at the local cinema.”
noun
1
A movie; a sequence of moving images meant to be watched as a narrative or artistic work.
"They watched a classic film at the local cinema."
"The director's latest film premiered at the festival."
"We stayed up late to watch a funny film on the sofa."
2
A thin layer or coating of a substance.
"A film of grease covered the stovetop."
"A thin film of dust had settled on the bookshelf."
"Oil left a shiny film on the surface of the puddle."
verb
1
To record a scene or event using a camera.
"They filmed the wedding from three different angles."
"The documentary team spent a month filming penguins out on the ice."
"Please don't film during the concert, because the performers asked us not to."
How to use film
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually means a movie, but can also mean any thin coating or layer, or the act of recording something on camera.
UK vs US
British English favors "film" for a movie; American English more often says "movie," though "film" is understood and used for more artistic works in both.
Common pairings
feature film
film a scene
a film of dust
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Word forms
- Plural
- films
- Third person singular
- films
- Past tense
- filmed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They watched a classic _____ at the local cinema.
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.
Class of 1800
film joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
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