film

[ film ]

noun

1. a thin layer or coating:

   a film of grease on a plate.

2. a thin sheet of any material:

   a film of ice.

3. a thin skin or membrane:

   The whitish film over your eye is a cataract.

4. a delicate web of filaments or fine threads:

   The fabric embedded in the polyurethane is essentially a film of fiberglass.

5. a thin haze, blur, or mist:

   A pale film of drizzly twilight soon gave way to a dense fog.

6. Photography.
   1. a composition of plastic or similar material made into thin sheets or strips and coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, used for taking photographs.
   2. a strip or roll of this.
   3. the coating of emulsion on such a sheet or strip or on a photographic plate.
7. Movies.
   1. a strip of transparent material, usually cellulose triacetate, covered with a photographic emulsion and perforated along one or both edges, intended for the recording and reproduction of images.
   2. a similar perforated strip covered with an iron oxide emulsion magfilm, intended for the recording and reproduction of both images and sound.
   3. a movie; motion picture:

      We decided to stay home and watch a Kurosawa film.

8. Sometimes films.
   1. movies collectively:

      Film is the quintessential storytelling medium of the 20th century.

   2. the movie industry, or its productions, operations, etc.:

      He wants to get into films as a director.

   3. movies as a genre of art or entertainment:

      experimental film.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with a film, thin skin, or pellicle:

   A bloom of algae films the pond every summer.

2. Movies.
   1. to record in video format as a movie, with or without audio:

      We didn't know we were being filmed.

   2. to make a movie of:

      to film a novel.

verb (used without object)

1. to become covered by a film:

   The water filmed over with ice.

   Synonyms: veil, cloud, haze, mist

2. Movies.
   1. to be reproduced in video format as a movie, especially in a specified manner:

      This story films easily.

   2. to direct, make, or otherwise engage in the production of movies, TV shows, or other video content:

      They'll be filming here for the next six months.

film

/ fɪlm /

noun

1. 1. a sequence of images of moving objects photographed by a camera and providing the optical illusion of continuous movement when projected onto a screen
   2. a form of entertainment, information, etc, composed of such a sequence of images and shown in a cinema, etc
   3. ( as modifier )

      film techniques

2. a thin flexible strip of cellulose coated with a photographic emulsion, used to make negatives and transparencies
3. a thin coating or layer
4. a thin sheet of any material, as of plastic for packaging
5. a fine haze, mist, or blur
6. a gauzy web of filaments or fine threads
7. pathol an abnormally opaque tissue, such as the cornea in some eye diseases

verb

1. 1. to photograph with a cine camera
   2. to make a film of (a screenplay, event, etc)
2. often foll by over to cover or become covered or coated with a film

Other Words From

• film·like adjective
• re·film verb (used with object)
• un·filmed adjective
• well-filmed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of film¹

First recorded before 1000, in 1890–95 film fordef 6, and in 1900–05 film fordef 7; Middle English filme, Old English filmen membrane; akin to fell ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of film¹

Old English filmen membrane; related to Old Frisian filmene , Greek pelma sole of the foot; see fell ⁴

Example Sentences

Teal, who also appeared on stage in “Newsies,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Rent,” first starred in the short film “First Memory” and spent much of his career in supporting roles.

From Los Angeles Times

The closing credits of the film include the words "For Halyna."

From Salon

He said Hutchins' husband, Matt, convinced him to complete the film, which is dedicated to her.

From BBC

The highs are most frequently supplied by the film’s magnificent musical numbers, which boast the stellar choreography typical of Chu’s work while highlighting the movie’s meticulous production design and practical set pieces.

From Salon

Davis won an Oscar in 2017 for playing the long-suffering wife opposite Denzel Washington in the film adaptation of August Wilson’s “Fences.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• photograph
• shoot