cinematic

American  

[sin-uh-mat-ik] / ˌsɪn əˈmæt ɪk /

adjective

1. having to do with movies, as either an industry or an art form.

   The book explores Andy Warhol's cinematic work, focusing on ten films in detail.

2. (of a movie) showing a high level of artistry; grand and visually impressive.

   This film is filled with sweeping, cinematic shots of the surrounding countryside, to the point where the setting almost becomes a third character.

3. having qualities or using techniques associated with good movies, such as drama, emotional intensity, visual or sonic artistry, epic narrative, etc..

   Poetic and strikingly cinematic, her exquisitely written novel illuminates the strange tightrope we are all walking in the radically altered landscape post-9/11.

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noun

1. (in a video game) a short video or scripted event scene between stages of interactive play, often to introduce a new level, develop a character, or advance the plot.

   This year's NHL game has a lot of the same animations, cinematics between faceoffs, commentary tracks, and graphics.

Other Word Forms

• cinematically adverb
• uncinematic adjective

Etymology

Origin of cinematic

cinemat(ograph) ( def. ) + -ic

Explanation

Use the adjective cinematic to describe things that relate to — or resemble — a movie. You might, for example, read a cinematic scene in a novel that's written in a vivid, memorable way. You might say your favorite cinematic moment ever is the opening scene in The Sound of Music, or lament that your favorite director's cinematic output has been low recently. You're talking about movies here; cinematic comes from cinema. This word is also frequently used for things that just seem like you're watching them on a big screen: "When we came over that hill at sunrise and finally saw the Atlantic Ocean, it was so cinematic!"

Example Sentences

They were impressed by Humeau's cinematic exhibition and its "engagement with ecological and existential themes through inventive forms, speculative scenarios and dynamic shifts in scale".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Mr. Khatibi’s book is cinematic, kaleidoscopic and tragic—a splendid achievement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

No one knew a cinematic treasure was inside.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Karia emphasizes cinematic and visual storytelling, too, and cinematographer Stuart Bentley achieves some remarkable compositions, capturing neon lights, car headlights and concrete-dusted corners of outer London at night.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

I knew it was bad as soon as I heard the crack, but the whole tragedy happened in cinematic slow motion.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

Related Words

• pictorial
• visual
• vivid