documentary
documentary
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "documentary" is /ˌdɑːkjəˈmentəri/.
Syllable Breakdown
First Syllable (doc-): /ˈdɑːk/ - The sound is a "d" followed by the vowel sound in "pot" or "father," and then a "k" sound.
Second Syllable (-u-): /jə/ - The sound is a "y" sound followed by a schwa, the unstressed vowel sound in "sofa."
Third Syllable (-men-): /ˈmen/ - The sound is an "m" followed by the vowel sound in "men," and then an "n" sound.
Fourth Syllable (-ta-): /tər/ or /tə/ - The sound is a "t" followed by the schwa and an "r" sound, or sometimes just a "t" followed by the schwa.
Fifth Syllable (-ry): /ri/ - The sound is an "r" followed by the long "e" sound in "happy" or "see."
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: documentary
Plural: documentaries
Adjective:
documentary (This form does not typically have variations like comparative or superlative, but can be used with adverbs like "more documentary" or "most documentary" in a less common, descriptive sense.)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A nonfiction film or television program that presents facts and information about a particular subject, person, or event, often using real footage, interviews, and historical evidence.
Synonyms: factual film, non-fiction film, docudrama, reportage, non-fiction
Antonyms: fiction, drama, narrative film, feature film, blockbuster
Definition: A piece of writing or a collection of documents that provides factual information or serves as evidence.
Synonyms: report, dossier, file, evidence, record, account
Antonyms: fiction, fabrication, rumor, falsehood
Adjective
Definition: Pertaining to, consisting of, or based on documents or factual information.
Synonyms: factual, non-fictional, veracious, evidential, factual
Antonyms: fictional, imaginary, fabricated, invented, speculative
Examples of Use
Books
"The documentary style of her writing, blending personal experience with historical fact, was what first drew me in."
Newspapers
The New York Times reviewed Ken Burns's latest film, noting, "The film's strength lies in its meticulous documentary approach, weaving together archival photos and first-person accounts" (The New York Times, May 2024).
Online Publications
An article on The Verge discussed the rise of "micro-documentaries" on YouTube, exploring how short-form content can still deliver a compelling documentary experience (The Verge, July 2024).
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
On Netflix, the series Our Planet is a highly-acclaimed documentary series that showcases the world's natural wonders.
The movie March of the Penguins is a popular example of a nature documentary that gained widespread commercial success.
The podcast Serial is often described as a true-crime documentary in an audio format, investigating a single case over multiple episodes.
General Public Discourse
During a conversation, one person might say, "I saw a great documentary last night about the history of the space program."
When discussing a news report, someone might comment, "The news segment felt more like a documentary because of the in-depth interviews and historical context."
10 Famous Quotes Using Documentary
In feature films, the director is God; in documentary films, God is the director. (Alfred Hitchcock)
The best films of any kind, narrative or documentary, provoke questions. (Edward Norton)
But one of the amazing things about documentary is that you can remake it every time you make one. There is no rule about how a documentary film has to be made. (Errol Morris)
I began to feel that the drama of the truth that is in the moment and in the past is richer and more interesting than the drama of Hollywood movies. So I began looking at documentary films. (Ken Burns)
What's great about documentary, it seems to me, is that it can be experimental filmmaking. You have a license to do a lot of diverse things under the umbrella of 'documentary.' (Errol Morris)
The thing about documentary is that you don't really choose your subjects: they come and grab you out of your bed. (Beeban Kidron)
If you want to tell the untold stories, if you want to give voice to the voiceless, you've got to find a language. Which goes for film as well as prose, for documentary as well as autobiography. (Salman Rushdie)
I haven't been disingenuous in what I've said describing my perception of "truth" and "reality."... I make no attempt to create "documentary." (Phoebe Gloeckner)
Documentary film without nuanced journalistic sourcing risks being sensational, tendentious or broad-brushed. (Naomi Wolf)
Doing a documentary is about discovering, being open, learning, and following curiosity. (Spike Jonze)
Etymology
The word "documentary" comes from a combination of the word "document" and the suffix "-ary."
The word "document" has its roots in the Latin word docere, which means "to teach." From there, it evolved into the Old French word document, which meant "a lesson" or "a written instruction." In English, the word "document" came to mean a piece of written or printed information that serves as a record or proof.
The suffix "-ary" is used to form adjectives and nouns. It means "relating to," "of the nature of," or "a place for." For example, "dictionary" is a place for words, and "library" is a place for books.
When these two parts came together, "documentary" was first used as an adjective around the early 19th century. In this form, it simply meant "consisting of or relating to documents." For example, you might have heard of a "documentary" report, which was a report based on facts and official documents.
The use of "documentary" to refer to a specific type of film or television program is a more recent development. It was first used in this way in the late 1920s, with the term being popularized by the Scottish filmmaker John Grierson. He used it to describe a film that presented a factual account of real life, distinguishing it from fictional movies. Grierson's work and his definition helped to solidify "documentary" as the name for the genre of non-fiction film we know today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Documentary
Documentary evidence: This phrase refers to written or recorded proof, such as official papers, letters, or videos, used to support a claim.
A living documentary: This can describe a person's life or a situation that is so full of real events and lessons that it feels like a non-fiction film unfolding in real time.
A documentary approach: This refers to a method or style that prioritizes factual accuracy, research, and unbiased observation, often in a creative field.
Documentary style: A term used to describe a certain aesthetic in filmmaking, photography, or writing that imitates the look and feel of a non-fiction record.
The documentary truth: This phrase emphasizes a version of events that is factual and supported by evidence, as opposed to being fictionalized or embellished.
To go full documentary: An informal expression meaning to meticulously and thoroughly investigate a subject, much like a filmmaker would for a documentary film.
A fly-on-the-wall documentary: This describes a style of filmmaking where the camera seems to be an unobserved bystander, capturing events as they happen without interference.
A cinematic documentary: This highlights a documentary film that has a strong artistic or visually impressive quality, elevating it beyond a simple factual report.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of documentary from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
