bollywood: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, journalistic, cultural
Quick answer
What does “bollywood” mean?
The Indian Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), known for its elaborate musical numbers, melodrama, and family-oriented narratives.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The Indian Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), known for its elaborate musical numbers, melodrama, and family-oriented narratives.
A metonym for the mainstream, popular-culture oriented sector of Indian cinema. By extension, can describe a style characterized by vibrant spectacle, emotion, and musicality, sometimes applied to similar filmmaking traditions outside India.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More frequent and integrated in UK English due to larger South Asian diaspora and cultural influence. In the US, it is often a more niche, known but less commonly referenced term in mainstream media.
Connotations
In the UK, it often carries connotations of mainstream multicultural entertainment and diaspora identity. In the US, it may be viewed more as an exotic, foreign film genre.
Frequency
Significantly higher frequency in UK English in both media and everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “bollywood” in a Sentence
[be] a Bollywood [noun][watch/follow/love] Bollywood[adjective] Bollywood [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bollywood” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The director is trying to Bollywood-ise the classic novel, adding song and dance sequences.
- The film Bollywoods the traditional story with extravagant sets.
American English
- The ad campaign was Bollywooded up with flashy colours and music.
- They Bollywoodized the wedding ceremony.
adverb
British English
- The scene played out Bollywood-style, with a sudden rain shower and a romantic song.
- She danced Bollywood-esque, with intricate hand movements.
American English
- The video was filmed Bollywood-inspired, cutting between multiple locations.
adjective
British English
- She has a very Bollywood sense of fashion, all bright colours and sequins.
- It was a Bollywood-style wedding with performances for the guests.
American English
- The party had a Bollywood vibe with energetic dance music.
- He's known for his Bollywood-level charisma on stage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in trade publications regarding film distribution, co-productions, and entertainment market analysis.
Academic
Used in film studies, media studies, and cultural studies to discuss postcolonial identity, diaspora, and globalisation.
Everyday
Used to discuss movies, actors, music, or cultural events. "Shall we watch a Bollywood film tonight?"
Technical
Not typically used in highly technical contexts outside film/media-specific discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bollywood”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bollywood”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bollywood”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a Bollywood'). It is a proper noun for the industry/style (e.g., 'a Bollywood film' is correct).
- Using lowercase 'bollywood'.
- Using it to refer to all Indian cinema.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Bollywood specifically refers to the Hindi-language film industry centred in Mumbai. India has several other major film industries (e.g., Tollywood for Telugu, Kollywood for Tamil) that are not part of Bollywood.
The name is a portmanteau of 'Bombay' (the former name of Mumbai) and 'Hollywood', coined by the English-language press in India. It reflects the industry's location and its aspiration to be a major film production centre.
While musical numbers are a highly characteristic and dominant feature of mainstream Bollywood, not every film includes them. There is a growing segment of films that minimise or omit song-and-dance sequences.
Yes. Bollywood has massive global audiences, particularly in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and among the South Asian diaspora worldwide (especially in the UK, US, and Canada).
The Indian Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), known for its elaborate musical numbers, melodrama, and family-oriented narratives.
Bollywood is usually informal, journalistic, cultural in register.
Bollywood: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒl.iˌwʊd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑː.liˌwʊd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's pure Bollywood (meaning: overly dramatic, sentimental, or fantastical).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the BO from Bombay and the LLYWOOD from Hollywood smashing together to create the vibrant world of BOLLYWOOD.
Conceptual Metaphor
BOLLYWOOD IS A SPECTACLE (of colour, music, and emotion).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Bollywood' specifically refer to?