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

Scenes of squalor, drug use and petty crime have spawned a subculture of gonzo-style documentary videos racking up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube.

From Los Angeles Times

A documentary called The Hangman was made about him in 2010.

From BBC

The present-day footage can seem self-reflexive to the point of parody: Paul McCartney gives the documentary team a tour of the Brooklyn Museum’s Paul McCartney exhibition.

From New York Times

The force launched a new investigation after 90 alleged new victims came forward following a BBC documentary which revealed the extent of the billionaire's predatory behaviour.

From BBC

The team plans to release a final catalog and a documentary about the project in January 2025.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• broadcast
• feature
• film
• narrative