author
AW-thuh
Author (noun) means a person who writes a book, article, or other original work. Example: “The author of this poem lived in a small cottage by the sea.”
noun
1
A person who writes a book, article, or other original work.
"The author of this poem lived in a small cottage by the sea."
"The author signed copies of her new novel at the bookshop."
"He's the author of several bestselling thrillers."
verb
1
To write or create a piece of work.
"He authored a children's story about a clumsy hedgehog."
"Two researchers authored the guide that our whole class now uses."
"She authored a report on climate policy for the government."
How to use author
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe writer or creator of a book, article, or piece of work.
Common pairings
bestselling author
author of a book
co-author
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Word forms
- Plural
- authors
- Third person singular
- authors
- Past tense
- authored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of this poem lived in a small cottage by the sea.
Etymology
From Old French autor, from Latin auctor ("originator, creator"). The "h" was added later by mistaken association with "authentic."
Related words
Rhymes for author
See all rhymes for 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.
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