1. relating to or denoting narrative elements (such as dialogue, music, or sound) that exist within the story world and can be perceived by the characters
Usage: film and media studies term; contrasts with non-diegetic elements like a narrator's voice-over or background film score

Examples

• The diegetic sound of a car horn in the movie comes from a vehicle that the characters can actually hear.
• In the film, the diegetic music playing at the party is heard by both the audience and the characters at the scene.
• The diegetic dialogue between two actors is part of the story world itself.
• Non-diegetic background music enhances the mood, while diegetic music is part of the scene.
• The diegetic phone call in the scene is a crucial plot element that the characters experience directly.