film
/fɪlm
/noun
1 [mass noun] A thin flexible strip of plastic or other material coated with light-sensitive emulsion for exposure in a camera, used to produce photographs or motion pictures: he had already shot a whole roll of film [count noun]: a new range of films and cameras...
- All you need is an album, an instant camera, rolls of film and painting materials if you are that way inclined.
- I actually prefer to use colour film with the pinhole camera because it just looks so nice.
- The method creates a digital image that is vivid and precise: a photograph that requires neither film nor camera.
1.1Material in the form of a very thin flexible sheet: clear plastic film between the layers of glass...
- Cut the beef fillet into thin slices and, layered between sheets of plastic film, beat until extremely thin.
- The latest version, known by the brand name Superglass, has two layers of clear film between the panes.
- Leave to rise on oiled baking sheets, covered with oiled clear film, for 15 minutes.
1.2 [count noun] A thin layer covering a surface: she quickly wiped away the light film of sweat...
- We've been dusting the last 24 hours because we found everything covered with a light film of dust.
- Now think of the same image, but this time the chocolate is covered by a white film on its surface.
- Dust films are a light powder of clay and silt-sized particles that adhere to rough surfaces and rock fractures.
Synonyms
layer, coat, coating, covering, cover, surface, sheet, patina, blanket, dusting, skin, overlay, screen, mask, wash, glaze, varnish, veneer, veil
1.3 archaic A fine thread or filament: films of silk
2A story or event recorded by a camera as a set of moving images and shown in a cinema or on television: a horror film [as modifier]: a film director...
- He has recently written and directed his first feature film.
- It was like watching a horror film unfold.
- Apart from watching the documentary film was there any other research that you felt was necessary?
Synonyms
movie, picture, feature, feature film;
programme, broadcast, transmission;
North American motion picture
dated moving picture
informal flick, pic, vid
dated, informal talkie
2.1 [mass noun] Cinema considered as an art or industry: a critical overview of feminist writing on film...
- Today, traditional art forms are practised alongside painting, photography, theatre and film.
- The film industry has blamed the police for their failure in nabbing the culprits.
- Long a film buff, Verna says she's always maintained broad artistic interests.
Synonyms
cinema, movies, the pictures
verb
1 [with object] Capture on film as part of a series of moving images; make a film of (a story, event, or book): she glowered at the television crew who were filming them...
- The movie was filmed on location in Oregon and the period clothing and accoutrements are generally right on.
- And it certainly has to have resonated with the themes of the movie that you were filming.
- If she had her way, by the time the movie was done filming, Ryan and Ann will be very cozy indeed.
Synonyms
record on film, shoot, record, take pictures of, make a film of, capture on film, video, photograph
adapt for film, make into a film
2 [no object] Become or appear to become covered with a thin layer of something: his eyes had filmed over...
- His eyes filmed over, and the eternal darkness enclosed his soul.
Synonyms
cloud, mist, fog, haze;
become blurred, blur, dull
archaic blear
Derivatives
filmdom
sense 2 of the noun.
Origin
Old English filmen 'membrane', of West Germanic origin; related to fell5.