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Definition of matinee

matinee

/ˈmætɪneɪ/
mat · i · nee
Plural:matinees
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matinee Lexical Profile

matinee Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An afternoon performance of a play, film, concert, or other entertainment.

Example

"We decided to catch a matinee of the new play since the evening tickets were entirely sold out."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for matinee

Word Nuance & Usage

Despite originating from the French word for 'morning', in English usage, 'matinee' almost exclusively refers to a performance or screening held in the afternoon.

• Nearby Words

material
mathematics
matilija poppy
matinee
matisia
matoa
matricaria

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from French 'matinée' (morning, or morning performance), from 'matin' (morning), which stems from Latin 'matutinus' (of the morning). Over time, the English meaning shifted from daytime performances generally to specifically afternoon ones.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Matinee. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/matinee
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