hollywood
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a district in Los Angeles, California, that is famous for being the center of the movie industry.
n.a specific geographical district in Los Angeles, California, historically and culturally identified as the hub of the American film industry.
Simple“When we visited California, we took a photo of the famous Hollywood sign on the hill.”
In context“The tour bus wound through the narrow streets of Hollywood, passing historic studios that helped define the golden age of American cinema.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
n.the American movie industry as a whole, no matter where the films are actually filmed.
n.the American motion picture industry considered collectively, including its commercial interests, cultural influence, and celebrity ecosystem.
Simple“Many young actors move to the city hoping to make it big in Hollywood.”
In context“Critics argue that Hollywood has become too reliant on sequels and established franchises rather than investing in original screenplays.”
Synonymsfilm industryshowbiz - 03 B1 Intermediate
adj.related to or typical of the movies made in the US, often meaning they are expensive or have a happy ending.
adj.characteristic of the style, production values, or narrative conventions associated with major American studio films.
Simple“The story was okay, but it had a very typical Hollywood ending where everyone is happy.”
In context“The director avoided Hollywood tropes, choosing instead a gritty, realistic aesthetic that challenged the audience's expectations.”
Synonymscinematicglitzy
The name of the neighbourhood in Los Angeles (proper noun sense 1) was coined by real estate developer H. J. Whitley, from holly + wood. By metonymy, it became the name of the industry, and eventually also a name for decadence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.