Matinee (mætɪˈneɪ) is a word borrowed from the French language, meaning a daytime show, especially a theatrical or musical performance. The word's spelling can be confusing as it contains the uncommon diacritic symbol "é," representing the vowel sound /eɪ/. The first syllable, "ma," is pronounced as the English word "mad," while the second syllable "-tinee" is pronounced as "tɪˈneɪ." The word is commonly used in entertainment industries, particularly in cinemas and theaters.
Matinee, noun
Pronunciation: muh-teen-ey or mat-uh-ney
Etymology:
The term "matinee" originates from the French word "matinée," derived from "matin," meaning morning. It gained popularity during the late 19th century in France and subsequently entered the English language.
1. A daytime performance of a play, film, or concert, typically scheduled in the afternoon or early evening, as opposed to an evening performance. Matinees are often offered to accommodate different audiences, such as families, seniors, or individuals with busy schedules.
2. In cinema, a matinee refers to a movie presentation or showtime held during the afternoon before the evening screenings. These screenings usually have lower ticket prices compared to evening shows and attract patrons seeking entertainment during the day.
3. In some countries, particularly France, a matinee can also describe a performance or event that takes place in the morning or before noon.
4. The term can also be used figuratively to describe an early phase or performance of an artist, musician, or athlete. In this sense, it represents a stage of development or skill occurring before the individual's peak performance or achievement.
Overall, "matinee" connotes an event or performance that takes place during the daytime, often in the afternoon, providing an opportunity for individuals to enjoy cultural or entertainment experiences outside traditional evening hours.
A reception or musical entertainment, held in the early part of the day.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "matinee" is borrowed from French, where it originally referred to a daytime performance at a theater. It is derived from the Old French word "matinée", meaning "morning" or "morning time". The word "matinée" shares its root with "matin", which means "morning" in French. Over time, the meaning of "matinee" expanded to include afternoon performances as well.