WordGarden.iomatinee
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈmætɪˌneɪ/
Meanings
Noun
an afternoon performance or showing, especially at a theater or cinema
Beyond the definition
Imagine the golden age of Hollywood - glamorous stars, sweeping stories... and often, matinees. A matinee is a performance, usually a play or movie, that happens in the afternoon. It's a way to enjoy a show earlier than the usual evening time. The word comes from a French word for "morning," but in modern English it usually means an afternoon event. If you're looking for a cheaper ticket, or you can't stay out late, a matinee might be perfect for you. You might say, "Let's catch a matinee of that new superhero movie this weekend!"
A matinee is an afternoon performance, most often of a play or movie. The term comes from the French word matin, meaning "morning." Even so, in modern English, the word almost always refers to something shown or performed in the afternoon rather than in the evening.
You will often see the word in theaters and cinemas. A theater may offer a matinee on Saturday or Sunday, and a movie theater may list afternoon showings at a lower price. Because these performances happen earlier in the day, they are often popular with families, older adults, tourists, and anyone who wants to see a show without going out at night.
The word can also suggest a certain mood: something casual, convenient, or old-fashioned in a pleasant way. You might hear a theater advertise "Matinee performances every Saturday!" or see a movie listing that says "Matinee pricing before 5 p.m." In context, the meaning is usually clear: it is the daytime or afternoon showing, not the evening one. So if someone invites you to a matinee, they mean an earlier show during the day.
Examples
- 1
Theater plans
We went to the matinee because the evening show was sold out.
- 2
Weekend theater
The theater has a Saturday matinee that is popular with families.
- 3
Ticket prices
Matinee tickets are usually cheaper than tickets for later screenings.
- 4
Old movie star
In the 1950s, he was a real matinee idol.
- Phrasematinee idol
a handsome actor many people admire, especially in an old movie context
See also
Similar
- afternoon performance
- afternoon show
Shades of meaning
- afternoon screening
- performance
- showing
Contrast
- evening performance
- premiere
Used with (collocations)
- matinee performance
- matinee showing
- matinee ticket
- Saturday matinee
Word family
- matinees
Explore
- showtime
- box office
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- matineenoun