What does movie mean?
A movie is a motion picture, such as a feature film, short film, documentary, or animated production. The word is especially common in American English, while "film" is the preferred general term in British English, though both are used in both countries. "Movie" can refer to an individual production or, in expressions such as "going to the movies," to the activity or social occasion of watching films. It is regularly used with words including "action," "comedy," "science fiction," "independent," "romantic," and "animated," and appears in common phrases such as "watch a movie," "movie premiere," "movie star," and "feature movie." Its origin in the phrase "moving picture" reflects the early description of cinema as moving imagery. The term is informal but perfectly standard, carrying no special prestige or class distinction.
nounA motion picture, especially one made for theatrical release or public viewing. The term is also used in phrases such as "the movies," referring to going out to see films or to the activity of watching films generally.
- A motion picture, especially one shown in cinemas or made for public exhibition.
- An occasion or outing involving watching films, as in the expression "going to the movies."
"We watched a foreign movie and then discussed it over dinner."
"The movie was praised for its inventive visual design and compelling performances."
"They went to the movies every Saturday when they were children."
The plural is used for individual motion pictures and in the idiomatic expression "the movies," meaning the activity or occasion of watching films.
"The children watched three movies before the film festival began."
The word "movie" was born from "moving picture": early cinema was described as a moving image, and abbreviating that phrase eventually produced the modern term.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does movie come from?
The word "movie" is an American shortening of "moving picture," a phrase used for early motion pictures in the early twentieth century. The shorter form became established in the 1910s and spread into general English, while British usage retained "film" as the more traditional term. Its semantic relatives move, motion, mobile, and movable all trace to the Latin movere, meaning "to move."
Related word forms
How movie is actually used
In American English, "movie" is the usual everyday term. In British English, "film" is more traditional, although "movie" is widely understood and increasingly common in informal speech.
Easily confused with movie
Both refer to a motion picture, but "movie" is especially common in American English, while "film" is the standard general term in British English and is often preferred in artistic or formal contexts.