What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
screenplay
Example
The screenplay for the new James Bond movie is being kept under wraps. [screenplay: noun]
Example
She spent months writing the screenplay for her first feature film. [screenplay: noun]
teleplay
Example
The teleplay for the new episode of the sitcom was hilarious. [teleplay: noun]
Example
He won an award for his teleplay about a family dealing with a crisis. [teleplay: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Screenplay is more commonly used than teleplay in everyday language. This is likely due to the fact that movies have a wider audience and are more widely distributed than TV shows.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between screenplay and teleplay?
Both screenplay and teleplay are formal words that are typically used in professional settings within the entertainment industry.