author
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for author, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who writes a book, article, or other original work.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use author
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French autor, from Latin auctor ("originator, creator"). The "h" was added later by mistaken association with "authentic."
Full origin of author →Frequently asked questions
What does “author” mean?
The word “author” means a person who writes a book, article, or other original work. In plain terms, the writer or creator of a book, article, or piece of work.
How do you pronounce “author”?
“Author” is pronounced AW-thuh (/ˈɔ.θɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “author” in a sentence?
Here is “author” used in a sentence: “The author signed copies of her new novel at the bookshop.”
What part of speech is “author”?
Depending on how it is used, “author” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “author” come from?
The word “author” comes from Latin. From Old French autor, from Latin auctor ("originator, creator"). The "h" was added later by mistaken association with "authentic.".
Is “author” a common word?
“Author” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “author” have?
“Author” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who writes a book, article, or other original work.
What is the difference between an author and a writer?
Every author is a writer, but not every writer is an author. 'Writer' describes anyone who writes, while 'author' specifically means the person credited as the originator of a particular work — a book, article, or story. The term stresses ownership and creation rather than the simple act of writing.
Can anyone become an author?
In principle, yes. Traditionally an author was someone whose work was accepted by a publishing house, but self-publishing now lets anyone release a book or article under their own name. What defines an author is having produced an original, completed work — not any formal qualification or permission.
What are the different types of authors?
Authors are usually grouped by what they write: novelists produce fiction, non-fiction authors cover fact-based subjects, and there are poets, playwrights, and academic authors. Others include ghostwriters, who write on someone else's behalf, and co-authors, who share credit for a single work with one or more collaborators.