biography
6 synonyms for biography, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A written account of a person's life, usually published as a book.
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.
life story
life history
biographical account
How to use biography
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
write a biography
authorised biography
Etymology
Borrowed via New Latin biographia from Ancient Greek bios ("life") and graphia ("writing") — literally "life-writing."
Full origin of biography →Frequently asked questions
What does “biography” mean?
The word “biography” means a written account of a person's life, usually published as a book. In plain terms, the written story of someone's whole life, usually researched and written by someone else.
How do you pronounce “biography”?
“Biography” is pronounced beye-OG-ruh-fee (/baɪˈɑɡɹəfi/ in IPA).
How do you use “biography” in a sentence?
Here is “biography” used in a sentence: “She read a biography of Winston Churchill last month.”
What part of speech is “biography”?
“Biography” is a noun.
Where does the word “biography” come from?
The word “biography” comes from Ancient Greek. Borrowed via New Latin biographia from Ancient Greek bios ("life") and graphia ("writing") — literally "life-writing.".
Is “biography” a common word?
“Biography” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a biography and an autobiography?
A biography is an account of a person's life written by someone else, while an autobiography is written by the subject about their own life. The key distinction is authorship: another person writes a biography, but you write your own autobiography.
What is the difference between a biography and a memoir?
A biography aims to cover the whole span of a person's life, usually in chronological detail and written by another person. A memoir is typically self-written and focuses on particular episodes, themes, or periods rather than an entire life story.
What is the difference between a biography and a bio?
A biography is a full-length account of a person's life, often published as a book. A bio is a short summary of someone's background, such as the paragraph on a website or book jacket, and is an informal shortening rather than a complete life story.
What is an authorized biography?
An authorized biography is one written with the cooperation and approval of its subject or their estate, who may grant access to private letters, papers, or interviews. An unauthorized biography is written without that permission and involvement.
