Author Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈaʊθər/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A person who writes and publishes original literary, artistic, or musical works, such as books, articles, poems, plays, or songs.

Examples

• The bestselling author has written several novels this year.
• The author of the famous novel is a famous literary figure.

Synonyms

• Writer
• Creator
• Artist

Antonyms

• Reader
• Illustrator

Etymology

The word “author” comes from the Old French term “auctor”, meaning “source” or “cause”.

Additional Information

Authors can create works in various formats, such as books, articles, plays, and songs. They are often associated with creative writing, but also with science, history, and other fields.

Authors may work individually or collaboratively, and often receive royalties or other forms of compensation for their work.

Usage Notes

In formal or academic writing, the term “author” is often used to refer to the person responsible for creating a work, whereas in informal contexts, the term “writer” may be used more liberally.

In certain cases, the term “author” may also refer to the instigator or one who takes credit for an idea or action, as in the phrase “author of one’s own downfall”.

Cultural References

The term “author” has appeared in numerous literary, film, and TV references, such as in the works of authors like Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and J.K. Rowling.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• To take credit for someone else’s work (literally “to take authorship”).
• The author of one’s own downfall (to cause one’s own failure).

Related Words or Phrases

• Writer
• Creator
• Artist
• Publisher
• Editor

Collocations

• book by an author
• authors’ circle
• author’s rights

Frequency of Use

The term “author” is frequently used in various contexts, including literature, academia, and media.

Common Misspellings

Author