DictionaryAI

movie

noun
MOO-vee/ˈmuːvi/

Pluralmovies

4 meanings of movie

Practice

  1. 1
    filmnounAustraliaCanadaNew ZealandUScountable
    A set of moving pictures shown on a screen that tells a story or shows real events.

    Like turning the pages of a picture book so fast that the drawings seem to move.

    We watched a funny movie at home last night.

    Her favorite movies all have happy endings.

    UsageMany people outside these places say film. You watch a movie.

    Similarfilm, picture, flick

    Note
  2. 2
    cinemanounAustraliaCanadaNew ZealandUScountable
    Usually the movies: a place where people go to watch films on a big screen.

    On Friday nights, we often go to the movies downtown.

    We spent Saturday afternoon at the movies watching the new comedy.

    UsageSay go to the movies. The building is a movie theater.

    Similarcinema, theater

  3. 3
    annoying eventnouncolloquialfigurativelycountable
    Any event, especially one that is annoying or boring.

    Like a long, dull afternoon you just wish would end.

    Getting my passport renewed was a whole movie.

    Moving all our boxes upstairs was a whole movie.

    UsageSay it was a whole movie.

    Similarordeal, saga, hassle, nightmare, palaver

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    exciting timenounslangfigurativelycountable
    A time or event that is really fun and exciting.

    Like the best day ever, packed with one fun moment after another.

    The concert was a total movie from start to finish.

    That concert was a movie. We danced and screamed all night.

    UsageSay something was a movie.

    Similarblast, riot

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of movie apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From "moving (picture)" plus "-ie." It is recorded in American English by 1912.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts