Definition and meaning of English word "documentary"
documentary
/ˌdɒkjʊˈmɛntəri/
Meaning
NounA film, TV program, publication etc. which presents a social, political, scientific or historical subject in a factual or informative manner.
How to use
The term 'documentary' refers to a non-fiction film or television program that presents information about a particular subject. It is often used in educational settings to teach about historical or scientific topics. A common learner mistake is to confuse 'documentary' with 'document', although a documentary is a type of film or program, while a document is a written or printed record.
🇬🇧 English
documentary
Example
The wildlife documentary highlighted the urgent need to protect endangered polar bears in the Arctic.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- documentary film— a film that presents information about a particular subject
- documentary series— a series of documentary films or television programs
- documentary photography— photography that presents information about a particular subject
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This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #1416 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "documentary" mean?▼
The English word "documentary" means "documentary" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "documentary"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "documentary" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "documentary"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "The wildlife documentary highlighted the urgent need to protect endangered polar bears in the Arctic." (which translates as "documentary").
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