playwright
PLAY-ryt
Playwright (noun) means a person who writes plays for the theatre. Example: “Shakespeare remains the most famous playwright in the English language.”
noun
1
A person who writes plays for the theatre.
"Shakespeare remains the most famous playwright in the English language."
"The playwright attended opening night of her new drama."
How to use playwright
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who writes stage plays.
Common mistake
It's spelled "wright," not "write" — the word refers to a craftsman, like a wheelwright, not the verb "to write."
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Word forms
- Plural
- playwrights
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.
Synonyms
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dramatist
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.
