playwriting

American  

[pley-rahy-ting] / ˈpleɪˌraɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. the art or technique of writing theatrical plays; the work or profession of a playwright.

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Etymology

Origin of playwriting

First recorded in 1895–1900; play + writing

Example Sentences

"Classical plays give you language, the ability to speak it and to give a kind of spin to a sentence that you don't have with modern playwriting," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Throughout his career, Domingo has hedged his bets, undertaking playwriting, directing and producing in case the wind blows a different way.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

His thesis is that Shakespeare early in his playwriting career followed the prevailing models of villainy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2026

But Page’s portrayal, perhaps the most complete in his gallery, makes a convincing case of the playwriting leap forward.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2026

Chekhov’s first rule of playwriting goes something like this: “If there’s a gun on the wall in act one, scene one, you must fire the gun by act three, scene two.”

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides