screenwriting

noun

screen·​writ·​ing ˈskrēn-ˌrī-tiŋ 

: the writing of screenplays : the activity or occupation of a screenwriter

He studied … screenwriting at film school …

—Eileen Cartter

Another friend called to borrow a how-to book on screenwriting. "You want to write a screenplay?" I asked her.

—Ann Hood

After graduating, she is cast in a film that leads to a successful career in screenwriting.

—Maylee Chai

Examples of screenwriting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lee went on to teach screenwriting at the Korea National University of Arts. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

His screenwriting credits also include Frances, Patty Hearst, Matilda, Fallen, and Bicentennial Man. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026

Shockingly, Leigh himself has never been nominated at the Globes for either directing or screenwriting, despite garnering seven Oscar noms throughout his career. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Chavez had previously been in horror screenwriting groups, but they were usually composed of white writers. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above