playwright

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'playwright' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person who writes plays. For example: "August Wilson was an acclaimed American playwright who wrote a series of plays about the African American experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Books

Culture

Stage

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One was the sense, expressed by poet, actor and playwright Warsama, that the current media conversation was almost entirely one way.

The Guardian

Woman in Gold is released in cinemas next month, but at its premiere in Berlin the Austrian reviewers were generous about its portrayal of a national reluctance to face the art crimes of the past, according to playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell, who wrote the screenplay.

The Guardian - Arts

"They've been lucky with the splendid weather," remarked Marina, a Venetian playwright, watching with her 84-year-old mother on a jetty near two 20-year-old history of art students from Warwick University.

The Guardian - Film

She had been working as a playwright in Leeds for a year when she saw a link on Twitter, advertising The WoMentoring Project, an initiative set up to help women in publishing.

The Guardian

André Brink, the influential campaigning South African novelist and playwright, has died.

The Guardian - Books

Daldry has clearly found his ideal collaborators, too: Finn; screenwriter (and playwright) Lee Hall; and cinematographer Brian Tufano, the British veteran responsible for Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and East is East.

The Guardian

Hopefully my story and insights can help you get your first gig as a playwright (and make it count).

The Guardian

The security state and its relationship with democracy present all the queasy opportunities a playwright could want.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the success of A Taste of Honey, Joan Littlewood tried to offer her young playwright concrete guidance.

The Guardian

I have heard that many of these photographs were an inspiration to playwright Lee Hall when he was writing the film Billy Elliot and they were also an important reference for me when I was writing my novel about the strike, GB84.

The Guardian

Its namesake, South Africa's greatest playwright, Athol Fugard, was rehearsing his latest play there while we were performing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone who writes plays, use "playwright" to clearly and concisely convey their profession. Ensure the context makes it clear that you're referring to someone who writes plays, not just any type of writer.

Common error

Avoid misspelling "playwright" as "playwrite." The correct spelling, "playwright", uses "-wright" (as in "wheelwright" or "shipwright"), indicating a maker or builder of plays, not simply someone who "writes" them.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "playwright" is as a noun, specifically identifying a person who writes plays. Ludwig's examples show it used in apposition, such as "playwright Warsama", or as a subject, like "the playwright Alecky Blythe".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Culture

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Opinion

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "playwright" is a common and grammatically correct noun used to describe someone who writes plays. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news and media to academic writing. Its usage is frequent, especially in sources related to culture, books, and the performing arts. To avoid common errors, remember that the correct spelling is "playwright", not "playwrite". Consider using synonyms like "dramatist" for a more formal tone. Always make sure that the context refers correctly to the author of dramatic works. The wide range of examples available through Ludwig highlights the term's versatility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dramatist

A more formal synonym for "playwright".

scriptwriter for theatre

Specifies the medium for which the scripts are written.

writer of stage plays

Explicitly states the type of plays written.

theatre author

Highlights authorship within the theatrical context.

stage writer

Emphasizes the platform for the writing.

play creator

Focuses on the creative aspect of playwriting.

author of theatrical works

More formal and emphasizes the artistic creations.

theatre scribe

A less common but evocative term.

dramaturge

A more specific role related to play development and analysis.

comedy writer

Specifies the genre the writer specializes in.

FAQs

How is "playwright" different from "dramatist"?

"Playwright" and "dramatist" are largely synonymous, both referring to a writer of plays. "Playwright" might be considered slightly more common in contemporary usage, while "dramatist" can sound more formal or literary.

Can I use "playwright" to refer to someone who writes screenplays?

While "playwright" specifically refers to someone who writes plays for the stage, a person who writes screenplays is called a "screenwriter". The terms are not interchangeable.

What are some qualities of a successful "playwright"?

A successful "playwright" typically possesses strong storytelling abilities, creativity, a deep understanding of character development, and an ability to craft compelling dialogue. They also often have a good grasp of theatrical conventions and stagecraft.

Is it correct to say "female playwright" or is it implied?

While it's generally understood that "playwright" is a gender-neutral term, specifying "female playwright" can sometimes be useful for highlighting the work of women in a field where they have historically been underrepresented. However, it is not grammatically necessary.