playwright

American  

[pley-rahyt] / ˈpleɪˌraɪt /

noun

1. a writer of plays; dramatist.

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playwright British  

/ ˈpleɪˌraɪt /

noun

1. a person who writes plays

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Etymology

Origin of playwright

First recorded in 1680–90; play + wright

Explanation

A playwright is someone who writes plays. Playwrights are also known as dramatists. Just as a poet writes poems, a playwright writes plays. If the spelling of playwright looks odd, that's because wright is a word for a craftsperson or someone who builds things (like a shipwright builds ships). Given the juggling of characters, scenes, and plots in a play, you can see how writing a play is like building something. The most famous playwright ever in English is William Shakespeare.

Example Sentences

However, academics believe the discovery could indicate that the playwright spent more time in London than previously believed.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

“John, this is Athol,” Bookholane said, gesturing to the legendary South African playwright Athol Fugard.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Dame Iris was also a philosopher, playwright and academic, whose books explored morality, love and human relationships.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

The socialist playwright George Bernard Shaw appears several times rudely insulting converts he knew.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In England, it was the playwright Aphra Behn who translated Fontenelle and the poet Elizabeth Carter who translated Algarotti, so the female audience was more than fictional.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton