# talkie

/ˈtɔki/ (US) · /tˈɔːki/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/talkie
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

an old-fashioned word for a movie that has sound and music. It was used when movies first started using voices and music instead of just pictures.

For teachers: a motion picture featuring synchronized sound, specifically during the transition period from silent films to sound films.

## Examples

- My grandfather used to take me to see a talkie at the local cinema.
- The transition from silent film to the talkie was one of the most significant shifts in the history of cinema.
- While the silent era relied on visual storytelling and intertitles, the arrival of the talkie fundamentally altered the industry's approach to narrative and character development.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.