cinema

In many countries around the world, the word "cinema" is used when talking about the entertainment provided by film viewed in a theater, but in the United States, Americans generally prefer the word "movie" over "film" or "cinema."

• Let’s go see a movie.
• Barb and Don went to the movies.

The word "cinema" is used for films or movies that fall into the category of art.

• Our local cinema is showing Fellini’s 8 1/2.
• Tyrone is studying cinema in college.
• He’s a cinema major. (Or…He’s a film major.)
• I’m reading a very interesting book about the history of French cinema.
• Kate and Edward share a love for bad cinema.

The word "cinema," or various forms of it, is also commonly used in the name of a business that shows movies:

• Cinema 18 has 18 screens.
• We saw a movie at Cinema Six.
• The Cineplex charges only five dollars for matinees. (A matinee is movie that is featured early in the day at a reduced cost.)
• Cinema City shows movies 24 hours a day.

The word "cinematic" is an adjective:

• Better seating improves the cinematic experience.
• The release of three new Star Wars movies promises new cinematic adventures.
• Tyrone has learned a lot about cinematic techniques from his professors.

He’s always wanted to be a film maker, so he studied cinema in college.

Click here to go to the Word of the Day page.

June 3, 2015