documentary

[ dok-yuh-men-tuh-ree, -tree ]

adjective

1. Also doc·u·men·tal [] pertaining to, consisting of, or derived from documents:

   a documentary history of France.

2. Movies, Television. based on or re-creating an actual event, era, life story, etc., that purports to be factually accurate and contains no fictional elements:

   a documentary life of Gandhi.

noun

, plural doc·u·men·ta·ries.

1. Movies, Television. a documentary film, radio or television program, etc.

documentary

/ ˌdɒkjʊˈmɛntərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. Alsodocumental consisting of, derived from, or relating to documents
2. presenting factual material with little or no fictional additions

   the book gives a documentary account of the war

noun

1. a factual film or television programme about an event, person, etc, presenting the facts with little or no fiction

Derived Forms

• ˌdocuˈmentarily, adverb

Other Words From

• docu·men·tari·ly adverb
• nondoc·u·mental adjective
• nondoc·u·menta·ry adjective noun plural nondocumentaries
• predoc·u·menta·ry adjective
• semi·docu·menta·ry adjective noun plural semidocumentaries
• undoc·u·menta·ry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of documentary¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; document + -ary

Example Sentences

The revelation arrives as part of a trove of never-before-released conversations unearthed in the three-part documentary series premiering on Peacock on Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Joshua Oppenheimer, an Oscar nominee for his documentaries “The Act of Killing” and “The Look of Silence,” made the unusual choice to make his narrative feature debut an original musical.

From Los Angeles Times

It was not until 2017, after a Channel 4 documentary revealed details about Smyth's abuse to the public, that police launched a full investigation.

From BBC

By the time she went to university, Kapadia was a regular at experimental, documentary and world cinema festivals in Mumbai.

From Los Angeles Times

We’re not sure he’s funny; we think he’s the dud,’” recalls Josh Greenbaum, who directed and produced the documentary “Will & Harper.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• broadcast
• feature
• film
• narrative