Hollywood

/ˈhɒ.li.wʊd/ adj, name, noun, verb

adj, name, noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A waxing practice that removes all of the pubic hair, unlike a Brazilian which leaves a small strip behind.
  • Grammar: hollywood is listed as adj, name, noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: canned, celebrity culture, cinema industry, cinematic.
  • Useful contrasts: art-house, authentic, bollywood.
  • Usage evidence: Hollywood isn't what it used to be.

How to use "hollywood"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "hollywood" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "hollywood" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "hollywood" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "hollywood" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "hollywood" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "canned" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "hollywood", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A waxing practice that removes all of the pubic hair, unlike a Brazilian which leaves a small strip behind.

    "If you ask the woman who does your waxing she will tell you that everyone is asking for Brazilians or Hollywoods, including Gwyneth Paltrow […]"

  2. 2
    the film industry of the United States wordnet
  3. 3
    a flashy vulgar tone or atmosphere believed to be characteristic of the American film industry wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To engage in Hollywooding (various senses).
Adjective
  1. 1
    Resembling or relating to the Hollywood movie industry.

    "As many critics pointed out, the timely (but mostly tame and light) comedy was not too controversial, but too popular, too American, and too Hollywood to headline a festival that was scheduled to screen the likes of Robert Bresson's Un Feme Douce, Jean-Luc Godard's Le Gai Savior, Eric Rohmer's My Night at Maud's, Agnes Varda's Lion's Love, Paola Pier Pasolini's Pigpen, and Bo Widenberg's Adelen '31."

  2. 2
    Of or characteristic of a Hollywood film.

    "A Time reporter called Reagan "Hollywood handsome and remarkably youthful in appearance", a candidate who had "rattled political seismographs from coast to coast.""

Adjective
  1. 1
    flashy and vulgar wordnet
  2. 2
    of or relating to the film industry in the United States wordnet
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California, known as the center of the American motion picture industry. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    The American motion picture industry, regardless of location. countable, metonymically, uncountable

    "Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee."

  3. 3
    Other places in the United States:; A town in Jackson County, Alabama. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    Other places in the United States:; A neighborhood and historic district in Homewood, Jefferson County, Alabama. countable, uncountable
  5. 5
    Other places in the United States:; A city in Broward County, Florida. countable, uncountable

    "FLL is located between Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood."

Show 20 more definitions
  1. 6
    Other places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Habersham County, Georgia. countable, uncountable
  2. 7
    Other places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in St. Mary's County, Maryland, named for a large holly tree. countable, uncountable
  3. 8
    Other places in the United States:; An unincorporated community and township in Carver County, Minnesota. countable, uncountable
  4. 9
    Other places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Tunica County, Mississippi. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    Other places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Dunklin County, Missouri. countable, uncountable
  6. 11
    Other places in the United States:; A neighborhood of Ruidoso, Lincoln County, New Mexico. countable, uncountable
  7. 12
    Other places in the United States:; A neighborhood in north-east Portland, Oregon. countable, uncountable
  8. 13
    Other places in the United States:; A neighborhood of Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. countable, uncountable
  9. 14
    Other places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. countable, uncountable
  10. 15
    Other places in the United States:; A town in Charleston County, South Carolina. countable, uncountable
  11. 16
    Other places in the United States:; A neighborhood in north Memphis, Tennessee. countable, uncountable
  12. 17
    Other places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Appomattox County, Virginia. countable, uncountable
  13. 18
    Other places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. countable, uncountable
  14. 19
    Other places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Monroe County, West Virginia. countable, uncountable
  15. 20
    Other places in the United States:; Former name of MacArthur, West Virginia. countable, uncountable
  16. 21
    A village in west County Wicklow, Ireland. countable, uncountable
  17. 22
    A village in Wythall parish, Bromsgrove district, Worcestershire, England (OS grid ref SP0877). countable, uncountable
  18. 23
    A barangay of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Philippines. countable, uncountable
  19. 24
    A nickname for someone involved with the film industry or celebrity culture. countable, uncountable
  20. 25
    A surname countable, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms
cannedcelebrity culturecinema industrycinematiccinematic mythfilm district

Antonyms

art-houseauthenticbollywoodeveryday realism

Example

"Hollywood isn't what it used to be."

Common questions

What does "hollywood" mean?

A waxing practice that removes all of the pubic hair, unlike a Brazilian which leaves a small strip behind.

What is a synonym for "hollywood"?

Common synonyms include: canned, celebrity culture, cinema industry, cinematic, cinematic myth, film district.

How do you use "hollywood" in a sentence?

Hollywood isn't what it used to be.

How do you pronounce "hollywood"?

Pronounced /ˈhɒ.li.wʊd/.

Etymology

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.

More for "hollywood"

Synonyms

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