miniseries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "miniseries" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to a television program that tells a story in a limited number of episodes. An example: "The new miniseries captivated audiences with its compelling storyline." Alternative expressions include "limited series" and "event series."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sherlock dominated the miniseries and movie categories as the ceremony took a short British turn with Benedict Cumberbatch collecting the lead actor award and Martin Freeman getting the supporting actor award, though neither attended the ceremony.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Sherlock's Steven Moffat won the award for writing in a miniseries or movie.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Much of the night belonged to the Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra, which stormed the film or miniseries category: Michael Douglas won the best actor award for his portrayal of the much-sequinned showman, Steven Soderbergh won the best director Emmy, and it was named best movie.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For the past three years, it has been the first UK series ever to be shortlisted not in the Emmys' miniseries category, but up against America's big guns – including Breaking Bad – for outstanding drama series.

The Guardian

The long-awaited (by some) Heroes revival Heroes: Reborn will kick off Thursday nights, but NBC says it is an "event series" which is what the networks call miniseries now (or at least things they're waiting to see how well they do in their first season before deciding if they want more or not).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Michael Douglas last night won the Emmy, US television's highest honour, for outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie for his turn as flamboyant singer Liberace in Steven Soderbergh's Behind the Candelabra.

The Guardian - Film

This is a miniseries of 10 speakers discussing their urban innovations, across sectors such as farming, crime, waste, energy and design.

The Guardian

Then the first two episodes of the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers will be shown outdoors.

The Guardian

Netflix has three other Marvel shows planned and then a miniseries which will bring all the four characters together, mirroring the way that the Avengers were handled on the big screen.

The Guardian - Film

"These exchanges are a clear admission not only that the miniseries contains matters that are untrue, but that your client knew that they were untrue when it broadcast the program," Rinehart's legal team wrote to Nine.

The Guardian - Business

New FX series Fargo won outstanding miniseries and the best television movie award went to The Normal Heart, the film based on HIV-Aids activist Larry Kramer's play about the disease's rise in New York City.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing television, use "miniseries" to clearly distinguish a short, complete story from an ongoing series.

Common error

Avoid using "miniseries" interchangeably with regular series. "Miniseries" denotes a show with a predetermined end, unlike open-ended series.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "miniseries" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a television or radio program that presents a complete story in a limited number of episodes. Ludwig AI provides many examples of its use in describing television programming.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

54%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "miniseries" accurately describes a television or radio program with a predetermined number of episodes, differentiating it from ongoing series. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse sources like news media and encyclopedias. For alternatives, consider "limited series" or "event series". Remember to use "miniseries" to clearly specify a short, complete story.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited series

Emphasizes the finite and predetermined length of the program.

event series

Highlights the special or noteworthy nature of the television program.

short-run series

Focuses on the brief duration of the television program.

television serial

A more classic term, referring to a story presented in multiple episodes.

multi-part drama

Highlights that it is a drama told in multiple parts.

limited-episode show

A more descriptive and literal alternative.

seasonal anthology

Suggests each season tells a different, self-contained story.

one-off drama series

Suggests that it is the only time that set of episodes will run.

single-season program

A television program that airs for only one season.

short television series

A simple alternative that emphasizes the brevity of the series.

FAQs

How is a "miniseries" different from a regular television series?

A "miniseries" tells a complete story within a limited number of episodes, whereas a regular television series is designed to continue indefinitely, potentially spanning multiple seasons.

What are some alternatives to the word "miniseries"?

You can use alternatives like "limited series" or "event series" depending on the context.

Can a series become a "miniseries"?

No, a series cannot become a "miniseries". The key difference lies in the initial intent. A "miniseries" is planned as a short, self-contained story from the outset, while a regular series is intended to continue for multiple seasons, though it may eventually be cancelled.

Is it appropriate to call a show a "miniseries" if it gets renewed for a second season?

Generally, no. Once a "miniseries" is renewed, it typically transitions to being considered a regular series or an anthology series if each season tells a separate, unrelated story.