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Literature vocabulary · Drama and Theatre

Playwright

Meaning in literature, with examples

/ˈpleɪraɪt/nounCore term

In literature, playwright means: A person who writes plays for the theatre, and sometimes for radio or television, creating the dialogue and stage directions that actors perform.

In Turkish: oyun yazarı, tiyatro yazarı

How it is used

The standard word in criticism, theatre programs and reviews: a young playwright, a leading playwright, the playwright's intention. 'Dramatist' is a more formal synonym. Shakespeare, Chekhov and Ibsen are among the most performed playwrights in the world.

Example sentences

  1. Haldun Taner is one of the best-known Turkish playwrights of the twentieth century.

  2. After the premiere, the playwright joined the actors on stage.

Common collocations

  • leading playwright
  • young playwright
  • award-winning playwright
  • playwright and director
  • playA piece of writing for the theatre, made up of dialogue and stage directions, that actors perform in front of an audience.
  • dramaLiterature written to be performed by actors on a stage, telling a story through dialogue and action; also a single serious play.
  • authorThe person who wrote a particular book, poem, play or other text.
  • stage directionsInstructions in the text of a play, usually in italics or brackets, that describe the setting, the actors' movements, tone of voice or lighting.

More terms: Drama and Theatre

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