Meaning & use
film dictionary
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Meanings
nouncountable
a book or digital resource that lists and explains terms, people, and concepts related to films and filmmaking.
Grammar: Countable: a film dictionary, two film dictionaries.
Patterns
- a film dictionary
- in a film dictionary
She looked up the term 'mise-en-scène' in a film dictionary.
This film dictionary covers everything from camera angles to editing techniques.
Students of cinema often use a film dictionary to understand technical jargon.
nouncountable
a reference work that provides information about movies, such as plots, casts, and reviews.
Grammar: Often used with 'of': a film dictionary of Hollywood classics.
Patterns
- a film dictionary of something
He consulted a film dictionary of classic movies to find the director's name.
The library has a film dictionary that lists all the Oscar winners.
An online film dictionary can help you find details about old films.
Word forms
| plural | film dictionaries |
|---|
Common combinations
- consult a film dictionary
- I consulted a film dictionary to check the term.
- an online film dictionary
- An online film dictionary is easy to search.
- a film dictionary of cinema
- She bought a film dictionary of world cinema.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cinema dictionary
- Similar but less common; 'film dictionary' is the more usual term.
- movie dictionary
- More common in American English, but 'film dictionary' is also understood.
Commonly confused: film dictionary or film glossary?
film dictionary vs film glossary
A glossary is a list of terms with definitions, often at the back of a book; a film dictionary is a standalone reference work.
Practice
What is a 'film dictionary'?
Choose one answer.
The correct answer is B because a film dictionary explains terms and concepts related to films. An is wrong because it is not specifically for translation. C is wrong because it is not for learning lines. D is wrong because it covers more than just titles.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “film dictionary”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.