Meaning & use
a teleplay
Last updated
UK/ə ˈtelipleɪ/
US/ə ˈtelipleɪ/
Meaning
nouncountabletechnical
A script written for a television program, especially a drama or series.
Grammar: Countable: a teleplay, teleplays. Used in the TV and film industry.
Patterns
- write a teleplay
- a teleplay for a series
- adapt a teleplay
She wrote a teleplay for a new crime drama.
The teleplay was praised for its sharp dialogue.
He submitted his teleplay to several production companies.
Word forms
| plural | teleplays |
|---|
Common combinations
- write a teleplay
- He spent months writing a teleplay.
- original teleplay
- The network bought an original teleplay.
- teleplay for television
- She adapted the novel into a teleplay for television.
Synonyms and how they differ
- script
- Script is a general term for any written text for stage, film, or TV; teleplay is specifically for television.
- screenplay
- Screenplay is for a movie, while teleplay is for a TV show.
Word family
- teleplaywright noun
- A person who writes teleplays.
Commonly confused: a teleplay or screenplay?
a teleplay vs screenplay
A screenplay is written for a film, while a teleplay is for television.
Practice
Which of these is a 'teleplay'?
Choose one answer.
A teleplay is specifically a script for television, not for stage (option 1) or cinema (option 3). Option 4 is a book, not a script.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a teleplay”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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