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Glite Dictionary
teleplay

teleplay

1 5.6
A script written to be shown on television
  • noun
  • /ˈtɛləˌpleɪ/
translation icon : guion de televisión
  • write the teleplay
  • stories and teleplays

Examples

  • This is not a teleplay that you are writing.

    The Condemned (2007)

  • The motion picture teleplay was respectful and exhibited tastefulness and class.

    Hail, Caesar! (2016)

  • During the teleplay, Bell deftly sidesteps any confrontation with the evil that is on the loose.

    Blog text (24)

  • The teleplay for the new drama series received high praise for its engaging storyline.

  • She was thrilled to learn that her first teleplay would air on national television next month.

  • The award-winning teleplay focused on the challenges faced by immigrant families in America.

Synonyms

dramatic work
vsteleplay
1 4.1

A written story to be performed, like a play or screenplay

is specifically a TV script rather than a general performance piece
photoplay
vsteleplay
  • Archaic
1 9.8

A written script for a film used in early silent movies

is written for television production rather than for movies

How Long

miniseries
1 3.4
screenplay
124 3.7
teleplay
1 5.6
one-act play
3 3.9

Surface Forms

teleplay singular
teleplays plural

Morphology

teleplay = play (transparent) = tele + play

The word is built straightforwardly from 'tele-' meaning television and 'play' meaning a dramatic work.

Etymology

The word teleplay is made of tele- meaning 'far', the same tele- you see in telephone and television, and play meaning 'a drama'. So a teleplay is a 'play made for television'.