Definition of 'author'

Word Frequency

author

(ɔːθəʳ )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense, plural authors , present participle authoring, past tense, past participle authored

1. countable noun

The author of a piece of writing is the person who wrote it.

She is the joint author of a booklet on Integrated Education. [+ of]

2. countable noun

An author is a person whose job is writing books.

...Philip Pullman, the best-selling author of children's fiction.

3. countable noun

The author of a plan or proposal is the person who thinks of it and works out the details.

The authors of the plan believe they can reach this point within about two years. [+ of]

4. verb

To author something means to be the author of it.

Then he opened a restaurant, authored a book, and landed his own radio show. [VERB noun]

5. See also co-author

More Synonyms of author

Video: pronunciation of 'author'

Word Frequency

author in British

(ˈɔːθə )

noun

a person who composes a book, article, or other written work

▶ Related adjective: auctorial

a person who writes books as a profession; writer

the writings of such a person

reviewing a postwar author

an originator or creator

the author of this plan

verb (transitive)

to write or originate

Derived forms

authorial (ɔːˈθɔːrɪəl )

adjective

Word origin of 'author'

C14: from Old French autor, from Latin auctor author, from augēre to increase

Word Frequency

author in American

(ˈɔθər ; ôˈt hər)

noun

a person who makes or originates something; creator; originator

“author of liberty”

a writer of a book, article, etc.; often specif., a person whose profession is writing books

verb transitive

to be the author of

Derived forms

authorial (auˈthorial) (ɔˈθɔriəl ; ôt hôrˈēəl)

adjective

Word origin of 'author'

ME autour < OFr autor < L auctor, enlarger, author < augere, to increase: see wax1

Example sentences containing 'author'

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She had once wondered how someone could spend an entire term just teaching about one author. Lowry, Lois ANASTASIA KRUPNIK (3-IN-1) (2002)Edward was immediately spoken of as if he were himself an established author, even a literary authority. Alan Judd THE DEVIL'S OWN WORK (2002)He's a highly regarded member of the faculty, fully tenured, the author of a definitive textbook. Tapply, William G A RODENT OF DOUBT (2002)

Spurning her suitors, superior without being arrogant, she clearly is the object of her author 's admiration. Howker, Janni ISAAC CAMPION (2002)