Entertainment Industry Terms

noun the highest point or stage; peak; summit

adjective of the highest quality or degree

• The company reached the acme of success with their latest product launch.
• She's at the acme of her career right now.
• That party was the acme of fun!
• The mountain peak symbolized the acme of their journey.

noun a female actor or performer in a play, movie, or television show

• The actress delivered a powerful monologue in the final act of the play.
• I heard that actress is going to be in the new movie coming out next month.
• That actress is totally killing it on screen!
• She played the role of a mother so convincingly, she truly became the actress in real life.

noun a person or company that provides a particular service, typically one that involves arranging transactions between two other parties

• The real estate agent showed us several properties in the area.
• My mom's insurance agent helped us with our claim.
• The secret agent went undercover to complete the mission.
• Time is the agent of change in our lives.

noun a contestant or candidate who is not successful or who does not perform well in a competition

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The candidate was considered an also ran in the election.
• He was just an also ran in the race.
• She's always been an also ran when it comes to popularity.
• The small business was an also ran compared to the industry giants.

noun the sport or skill of shooting with a bow and arrows

• Archery is a sport that requires a steady hand and keen focus.
• I'm thinking of taking up archery as a hobby, it looks like fun!
• Have you ever tried your hand at archery? It's pretty cool.
• In the game of life, sometimes you have to aim your 'arrow' like in archery to hit your target.

noun a strong negative reaction by a large number of people, especially to a social or political development

• The new policy change resulted in a significant backlash from the public.
• There was a huge backlash on social media after the controversial statement.
• The backlash was intense and people were really mad about it.
• The backlash was like a tidal wave, sweeping through and leaving chaos in its wake.

noun a noisy and overexcited reaction or response to something

verb to promote or publicize (something) in an exaggerated or sensational way

• The company's marketing team created a ballyhoo to promote the new product.
• There was a lot of ballyhoo surrounding the concert last night.
• I can't believe all the ballyhoo over that celebrity's new haircut.
• His ballyhoo about being the best player on the team was proven wrong during the game.

noun a person who stands in front of a show, as at a carnival, and gives a loud, noisy, or gaudy sales talk to attract customers

• The barker outside the circus tent was calling out to passersby to come see the show.
• The barker at the fair was really loud and trying to get everyone's attention.
• The barker at the game was hyping up the crowd with his announcements.
• The politician was known as a barker for his ability to attract attention and rally support.

noun a person who serves drinks at a bar

• The bartender at the upscale hotel bar was impeccably dressed and highly skilled in mixology.
• The bartender at my favorite pub always knows how to make the perfect cocktail.
• I asked the bartender to hook me up with a strong drink to get the party started.
• As a bartender of emotions, she knew just the right words to soothe his troubled mind.

verb A word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being. In this case, 'based' is a verb that shows the action of establishing something on a particular foundation or principle.

adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'based' is an adjective that describes the noun it is modifying.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. 'On' is a preposition that indicates the relationship between the base and something else.

• The decision was made based on thorough research and analysis.
• I chose this restaurant based on the reviews online.
• I'm going to pick my outfit based on my mood today.
• His success is based on years of hard work and dedication.

noun a group of birds or animals that are together in one place

• The garden was adorned with a bevy of colorful flowers.
• There was a bevy of snacks at the party last night.
• I saw a bevy of cute puppies at the pet store.
• The library shelves were filled with a bevy of knowledge.

noun an act of closing and opening one or both eyes quickly

adjective describing something that happens quickly or briefly

• The blinking lights on the control panel indicated a malfunction in the system.
• She kept blinking her eyes rapidly to stay awake during the boring lecture.
• Stop blinking at me like that, it's annoying.
• His constant blinking at the girl across the room was a subtle way of flirting.

noun a program or transmission on radio or television

verb to transmit a program or message on radio or television

• The live broadcast of the event was watched by millions of viewers around the world.
• Did you catch the broadcast of the game last night?
• I'm going to broadcast my new song on social media later today.
• Her emotions were broadcasted all over her face during the intense conversation.

noun a disappointing or unpleasant situation or event

adjective used to describe something that is disappointing or unfortunate

• It was quite a bummer that the project got delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.
• I can't believe we missed the bus, what a bummer!
• Losing my phone right before the trip was a total bummer.
• Ending the relationship was a bummer, but it was necessary for my well-being.

noun a telephone call

verb talk excitedly or quickly

• The buzz surrounding the new product launch is quite positive.
• There's been a lot of buzz about the upcoming concert.
• Did you hear the buzz about that new restaurant downtown?
• The excitement in the air was like a buzzing hive of bees.

noun a person who creates caricatures, which are exaggerated representations or imitations of a person's features or behavior

• The caricaturist at the event captured the likeness of each guest with skill and precision.
• The caricaturist at the fair drew hilarious cartoons of people passing by.
• The caricaturist at the party was so talented, he made everyone look like celebrities.
• She was a caricaturist with words, painting vivid portraits with her storytelling.

noun a tangible form of money, such as bills or coins

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being, in this case the action of 'cashing in'

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, in this case modifying the action of 'cashing in'

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, in this case indicating the action of 'cashing in'

• The company decided to cash in on the growing trend of eco-friendly products.
• I'm going to cash in on the sale at the department store.
• She's always looking for ways to cash in on a good deal.
• He tried to cash in on his fame by starting his own clothing line.

verb past participle of the verb 'do', indicating an action that has been completed

adjective used to describe something that is finished or completed

• The project was successfully completed and all the tasks were done on time.
• I'm finally done with my homework, now I can relax.
• I'm done with this drama, I can't deal with it anymore.
• After the breakup, I felt like my heart was done, but time healed me.

noun a device containing gunpowder and other combustible chemicals that causes a spectacular explosion when ignited, used typically for display or in celebrations

• The city council approved a permit for the annual fireworks display.
• Let's grab some snacks and watch the fireworks show tonight!
• The fireworks last night were lit!
• The team's performance on the field was like fireworks, full of excitement and energy.

noun a legendary ghost ship that is said to never be able to make port and is doomed to sail the oceans forever

adjective describing the Dutchman as flying or sailing through the air or water

• The legend of the Flying Dutchman has been passed down through generations.
• Have you heard the spooky tale of the Flying Dutchman?
• That ship is as cursed as the Flying Dutchman.
• His reputation as the office's Flying Dutchman precedes him.

noun a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck

verb to manipulate a situation to achieve a desired outcome

• The game of chess requires strategic thinking and careful planning.
• Let's play a game of Monopoly tonight!
• I'm totally addicted to this new mobile game, it's so lit.
• Life is like a game, you never know what move will come next.

verb to surpass or outdo someone or something

adverb to a greater extent or degree

• In order to impress the shareholders, the company decided to go one better and exceed their revenue projections for the quarter.
• I know you did well on your last test, but I bet you can go one better next time!
• I saw your dance moves at the party last night, but I challenge you to go one better at the next one!
• After winning the championship last year, the team is determined to go one better and secure a back-to-back victory.

verb A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence. In this case, 'go out' is a verb phrase indicating the action of leaving or exiting a place.

adverb A word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb. In this case, 'out' is an adverb that modifies the verb 'go', indicating the direction or manner in which the action is performed.

• I usually go out for dinner with my colleagues after work.
• Hey, do you want to go out for a drink later?
• Let's go out and paint the town red tonight!
• Sometimes you need to go out of your comfort zone to grow as a person.

verb to be successful or well-received, to make a strong impression

• The new marketing campaign is expected to go over big with our target audience.
• I think the surprise party will go over big with Sarah, she loves surprises.
• That new movie is going to go over big with the teens, it's so popular.
• His bold decision to start his own business really went over big with his family and friends.

adjective describing something that is extremely funny and causes great amusement

• The comedian delivered a hilarious performance that had the entire audience in stitches.
• I can't stop laughing, that movie was so hilarious!
• That TikTok video was absolutely hilarious, I couldn't stop laughing.
• The way she imitated her boss was hilarious, it was like watching a master impressionist at work.

noun Swing is a noun that can refer to a state of active operation or vigorous activity.

adverb In full swing is an adverbial phrase that describes an action or event that is happening energetically or at its peak.

preposition In is a preposition that indicates location or position within a space or time period.

• The conference is now in full swing with multiple sessions running simultaneously.
• The party is in full swing, everyone is dancing and having a great time.
• The concert is in full swing, the band is killing it on stage!
• The project is in full swing now that all team members are actively working on their tasks.

noun rapid and excited speech that is difficult to understand

verb to talk rapidly and excitedly in a way that is difficult to understand

• The professor asked the students to stop their incessant jabber during the lecture.
• I couldn't hear the movie dialogue over my friend's constant jabber.
• She's always jabbering on about her crush on that guy.
• The birds in the trees jabbered happily as the sun rose.

noun a person who tells or plays jokes; a jest or prankster

• The joker in the deck of cards is often used as a wild card.
• He's always the joker of the group, making everyone laugh.
• That guy is a real joker, always cracking jokes.
• Life can sometimes feel like a game of cards with the joker constantly changing the rules.

verb to create or produce something

pronoun referring to a specific action or task

• I will do my best to make it to the meeting on time.
• I'll try to make it to the party tonight.
• I gotta make it to the gym before it closes.
• She had to overcome many obstacles to make it in the competitive industry.

noun a person who makes and sells illegal alcohol, typically in rural areas

• The authorities arrested a moonshiner for illegally producing and selling alcohol.
• I heard that old man Joe is a moonshiner, making his own whiskey out in the woods.
• The moonshiner was caught red-handed with a still in his backyard.
• She was a moonshiner of ideas, always coming up with creative solutions to problems.

noun a place of entertainment open late at night and serving food and drinks, with music, dancing, and sometimes a floor show

• The upscale nightclub was filled with patrons enjoying the live music and cocktails.
• Let's hit up the nightclub tonight and dance the night away!
• I heard that new nightclub is lit, we should check it out.
• His mind was a nightclub of chaotic thoughts, each one vying for attention.

adjective describing something that continues without stopping or pausing

• The train runs nonstop from New York to Washington D.C.
• We talked nonstop for hours at the party last night.
• I've been working nonstop on this project all week.
• Her mind was like a nonstop rollercoaster of thoughts and ideas.

noun a set of clothes worn together, typically for a particular occasion or purpose

• She carefully selected a tailored outfit for the business meeting.
• I love your outfit, where did you get it?
• That outfit is on point!
• His words were like a well-put-together outfit, each one complementing the other perfectly.

noun a person who entertains an audience by acting, singing, dancing, or playing music

• The performer captivated the audience with their exceptional talent and stage presence.
• The performer totally killed it on stage tonight!
• That performer is a real showstopper!
• The performer was like a shining star in the night sky, lighting up the entire stage with their performance.

noun a substitute batter in baseball who comes to bat for another player

verb to bat as a pinch hitter

• The coach decided to use a pinch hitter in the ninth inning.
• The coach brought in a pinch hitter to try and score some runs.
• The coach called for a pinch hit to shake things up.
• Sometimes in life, you need to pinch hit and step in for someone else.

noun the state or condition of being liked, admired, or supported by many people

adjective popular

• The popularity of the new product is steadily increasing among consumers.
• The popularity of that show is off the charts!
• That song is gaining mad popularity on the radio.
• The popularity of social media platforms has exploded in recent years.

noun the performance of tricks that are so skillful as to appear supernatural

• The magician amazed the audience with his impressive prestidigitation skills.
• Did you see that cool prestidigitation trick the magician did?
• That prestidigitation move was lit!
• Her ability to navigate through difficult situations with prestidigitation-like skill is admirable.

noun a style of music characterized by a syncopated rhythm

adjective relating to or characteristic of ragtime music

• Ragtime music was popular in the early 20th century.
• I love listening to ragtime tunes on the piano.
• Let's hit up that jazz club that plays a lot of ragtime.
• His playing had a ragtime rhythm to it, fast and lively.

adjective showing eagerness or enthusiasm

preposition indicating that someone is eager or excited to do something

• The team is raring to start the new project.
• I'm raring to go on our road trip this weekend.
• She's raring to party tonight.
• The young athlete is raring to break the world record.

noun a person who is new to or inexperienced in a particular activity or field

adjective not processed or refined; in a natural or unaltered state

• The raw recruit showed great potential during training.
• The new guy is a raw recruit, but he's eager to learn.
• That raw recruit has a lot to prove if he wants to make it in this unit.
• She felt like a raw recruit in the world of finance, but she was determined to succeed.

noun a shot or hit that rebounds off a surface

verb to rebound off a surface

• The bullet ricocheted off the wall and hit the target.
• I heard the rock ricochet off the pavement.
• The ball ricocheted off the rim and went in!
• Her words seemed to ricochet off him, leaving a lasting impact.

noun a person who is in charge of a circus performance and who introduces the acts to the audience

• The ringmaster oversaw the entire circus performance with precision and grace.
• The ringmaster was the coolest person in the circus, always in charge and keeping everyone entertained.
• That ringmaster sure knows how to run the show like a boss.
• In the chaotic world of politics, the ringmaster orchestrates the events behind the scenes.

noun a situation or event that is daring or provocative

adjective suggestive of or bordering on indecency or impropriety

• The fashion designer decided to showcase a risque collection at the high-end fashion show.
• I can't believe she wore such a risque outfit to the party!
• That movie was so risque, I couldn't believe they showed it in theaters!
• His risque decision to invest all his savings in the stock market paid off in the end.

noun a competitive event in which cowboys display their skills in various activities such as bronco riding, calf roping, and bull riding

• The annual rodeo event in town attracts thousands of spectators.
• I heard there's gonna be a rodeo this weekend, wanna go check it out?
• That cowboy at the rodeo was a real buckaroo!
• Navigating through that busy market felt like being in a rodeo.

noun a list or plan showing the names of individuals or items in a group or organization

• The manager updated the roster with the new employee's information.
• Hey, did you see your name on the roster for the upcoming project?
• I made sure to put you on my party roster for this weekend.
• She carefully curated her roster of friends to only include those she truly trusted.

noun a summary or brief account of something

adjective in poor or neglected condition; in need of repair or maintenance

• The architect provided a detailed rundown of the building's structural integrity.
• Can you give me a quick rundown of what happened at the meeting?
• I'll give you the rundown on all the latest gossip in town.
• After a long day at work, I feel like a rundown old car that needs some rest.

noun a style of writing or communication that is intended to provoke excitement or interest by exaggerating facts or using shocking language

• The journalist was accused of using sensationalism in his reporting to attract more readers.
• I don't trust that news source, they're always full of sensationalism.
• The tabloids are known for their sensationalism, but people still buy them.
• The movie's plot was full of sensationalism, making it an entertaining watch.

noun a type of comedy that involves a set of characters in a particular setting dealing with humorous situations

• The situation comedy on television is known for its witty dialogue and humorous situations.
• I love watching that sitcom, it's the best situation comedy on TV.
• That show is a total sitcom, always making me laugh.
• Life can sometimes feel like a situation comedy with all the unexpected twists and turns.

noun a melodramatic situation or series of events.

• The soap opera has been on the air for over 20 years, captivating audiences with its dramatic storylines.
• I can't believe how addicted I am to this soap opera - I have to watch it every day!
• That soap opera is so cheesy, but I can't stop watching it.
• Their relationship is like a never-ending soap opera, full of twists and turns.

verb present participle of sparkle

adjective shining brightly with flashes of light; glittering

• The chandelier in the ballroom was sparkling with a thousand crystals.
• Her new engagement ring is so sparkling, it's blinding!
• I love how your shoes are so sparkling, they're lit!
• The idea of starting a new business together was like a sparkling opportunity in the dark.

noun a book containing a collection of stories, typically for children

• The library has a vast collection of classic storybooks for children.
• I love reading storybooks before going to bed.
• Let's ditch the movie and have a storybook night instead.
• Their love story was like something out of a fairytale storybook.

noun a device that receives and displays television broadcasts

adjective relating to the broadcasting of television programs

• The television industry is constantly evolving with new technology.
• I love watching television shows in the evenings.
• Let's binge-watch some TV tonight!
• Her mind was like a television, constantly flickering with different thoughts.

verb to compete eagerly with someone in order to achieve or do something

• The two companies are in fierce competition as they vie for the top spot in the industry.
• The students are all vying for the teacher's attention during class.
• The candidates are all gunning to vie for the position of class president.
• The artist's contrasting colors vie for dominance in the painting.

noun a type of novelty item consisting of a pressurized can that releases a thin, string-like material, often used for playful pranks or celebrations

• The children were reprimanded for using silly string in the classroom.
• We had a blast spraying silly string all over the backyard.
• Let's go buy some silly string and have a wild time at the party!
• The comedian's jokes were like silly string, light-hearted and fun.

noun a decisive or outstanding event or outcome

• The new policy proposal was a real corker, receiving praise from all stakeholders.
• That movie was a corker, I couldn't stop laughing the whole time.
• She's a real corker, always knows how to have a good time.
• The final match of the tournament was a real corker, with both teams giving it their all.

noun a person in a position of secondary importance or status

• The vice president is often referred to as the second banana in the company.
• I don't want to be anyone's second banana, I want to be the star of the show.
• He's always playing second banana to his more popular friend.
• In the world of politics, being a second banana can sometimes be more powerful than being the leader.

noun a game show in which players answer questions to win prizes

• The quiz show on television tests contestants' knowledge on various subjects.
• I love watching that quiz show where people win money by answering questions.
• That quiz show is lit, I always try to play along and see if I can beat the contestants.
• Life can sometimes feel like a quiz show, where we are constantly being tested and challenged.

noun a specialized form of broadcasting or marketing that targets a specific, unique audience or demographic

• The marketing team focused on niche-casting to target specific demographics.
• They're really into that niche-casting stuff for their ads.
• Niche-casting is all the rage in the advertising world right now.
• Just like a sculptor carves out a niche in a block of marble, marketers use niche-casting to reach their target audience.

noun a television program in which ordinary people are continuously filmed, designed to be entertaining rather than informative

• The reality show featured contestants competing in various challenges to win a cash prize.
• I love watching reality shows, they're so entertaining!
• That reality show was a total trainwreck, I couldn't stop watching!
• Life sometimes feels like a reality show with all its unexpected twists and turns.

noun a period of time during the night, typically late in the evening

adjective occurring or done late at night

• The employees worked late into the night to finish the project before the deadline.
• We had a late night watching movies and eating junk food.
• Let's go out for a late night snack at the diner.
• The idea came to me in a late night brainstorming session.

noun a television series that involves a set of characters in a humorous and typically familiar setting

• The sitcom was praised for its clever writing and talented cast.
• I love watching that sitcom with my friends, it always makes us laugh.
• That sitcom is so binge-worthy, I can't stop watching it!
• Life can sometimes feel like a sitcom, with all its ups and downs.

noun a person who behaves in a silly or foolish way

verb to behave in a silly or foolish manner

• It is unprofessional to act/play the fool during a business meeting.
• Stop acting/playing the fool and focus on the task at hand.
• Why do you always have to act/play the fool in front of everyone?
• Sometimes, it's necessary to act/play the fool in order to lighten the mood.

noun a person who engages in activities or events that typically occur in the afternoon

• The afternooner meeting was scheduled for 2 p.m. in the conference room.
• Let's catch up over an afternooner coffee later today.
• I'm feeling like a lazy afternooner, just gonna chill at home.
• The novel was a real afternooner, I couldn't put it down until I finished it.