playwright

noun

play·​wright ˈplā-ˌrīt How to pronounce playwright (audio)
: a person who writes plays

Examples of playwright in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The acclaimed playwright died Monday following a battle with pneumonia, Finn's literary agent, Ron Gwiazda, confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 Image Set in Brooklyn in the summer of 2022, the action takes place in the apartment of Emmy, a playwright freshly cognizant of the danger of being too broke to afford health insurance. Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 Parks’ play premiered in 2010 at the New York Public Theater and the justly esteemed playwright has updated the work for the Steppenwolf production. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 Kiss of the Spider Woman is based on playwright Terrence McNally’s stage musical that debuted on Broadway in 1993 and adapted Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel of the same name. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for playwright

Word History

Etymology

play entry 2 + obsolete wright maker — more at wright

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of playwright was in 1605

Cite this Entry

“Playwright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playwright. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

playwright

noun
play·​wright ˈplā-ˌrīt How to pronounce playwright (audio)
: a person who writes plays
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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