movie
MOO-vee
Movie (noun) means a film made for entertainment, shown in cinemas or streamed at home. Example: “We watched a movie on the sofa last night.”
noun
1
A film made for entertainment, shown in cinemas or streamed at home.
"We watched a movie on the sofa last night."
"The new superhero movie broke box office records."
"The movie was so funny that the whole audience kept laughing."
2
A cinema, especially in the phrase "the movies."
"Let's go to the movies this weekend."
"He took her to the movies on their first date."
"We usually grab popcorn when we go to the movies."
How to use movie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA film, or informally, a trip to the cinema.
UK vs US
"Movie" is the standard American term; British English uses "film" more often, though "movie" is widely understood.
Common pairings
watch a movie
go to the movies
movie theater
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Word forms
- Plural
- movies
Fill the gap
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We watched a _____ on the sofa last night.
Etymology
Short for "moving picture" plus "-ie," first recorded in American English in the early 1900s.
Class of 1900
movie joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for movie
See all rhymes for movie →Frequently asked questions
What does “movie” mean?
The word “movie” means a film made for entertainment, shown in cinemas or streamed at home. In plain terms, a film, or informally, a trip to the cinema.
How do you pronounce “movie”?
“Movie” is pronounced MOO-vee (/ˈmuːvi/ in IPA).
How do you use “movie” in a sentence?
Here is “movie” used in a sentence: “We watched a movie on the sofa last night.”
What part of speech is “movie”?
“Movie” is a noun.
Where does the word “movie” come from?
The word “movie” dates back to around 1900. Short for "moving picture" plus "-ie," first recorded in American English in the early 1900s.
Is “movie” a common word?
“Movie” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “movie” have?
“Movie” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a film made for entertainment, shown in cinemas or streamed at home.
What is the difference between a movie and a film?
They refer to the same thing — a motion picture — but the tone differs. 'Movie' is the more casual, everyday word, common in American English and for mainstream entertainment. 'Film' sounds more formal and is often preferred for artistic or serious works. So every movie is a film, but critics tend to say 'film'.
What are the different types of movies?
Movies are usually grouped by genre, which describes their style and subject. Common genres include comedy, drama, horror, action, romance, science fiction, thriller, documentary, and animation. Many films blend several genres at once, such as a romantic comedy or an action thriller, and length can range from short films to full features.
Is 'movie' a formal or informal word?
'Movie' is informal and conversational, which is why it dominates casual speech, especially in American English. In more formal or academic settings — reviews, awards, film studies — 'film' or 'motion picture' is preferred. Neither is incorrect; the choice simply signals how relaxed or serious the context happens to be.
What is the difference between a movie and a TV show?
A movie is a single, self-contained story told in one sitting, usually one to three hours long. A TV show is built from multiple episodes, often across several seasons, that develop characters and plots over time. Movies aim for a complete arc in one go; series unfold gradually across many parts.
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