documentary
n. · adj.-
1 factual film or programme (n.) B1 Intermediatea film or television show that tells a true story or gives information about real people and events.
a non-fiction creative work, such as a film or television series, that provides a factual record or report.
ExampleWe watched a fascinating documentary about how bees communicate with each other.
ExampleThe director spent three years filming the documentary, capturing the daily struggles of families living in the remote mountain village.
- factual film
- non fiction
- feature film
- fiction
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2 based on documents (adj.) C1 Advanced Formalconsisting of or based on written records and evidence.
relating to, consisting of, or derived from documents or written records.
ExampleThe lawyer presented documentary evidence to prove that the contract was signed.
ExampleThe historian relied heavily on documentary sources from the local archives to reconstruct the town's medieval layout.
UsageUsually placed before the noun.
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3 factual style (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatepresented in a way that shows real life without adding made-up stories.
presented in a factual or objective manner, often mimicking the style of a report or record.
ExampleThe book was written in a documentary style, using real letters and diary entries.
ExampleThe photographer adopted a documentary approach, refusing to stage any of the scenes or use artificial lighting.
From French adjective and (hence) noun documentaire, from document, from Latin documentum. Equivalent to document + -ary.