Author
/ˈɔːθər/
Definitions
2 meaningsA person who writes something.
/ˈɔːθər/
A person who writes a book, article, or other text.
Jane Austen is a beloved author.
💡 Simply: Someone who writes a book or article.
More Examples
The author signed copies of her new book.
How It's Used
"The author of this novel is a renowned scientist."
"We studied the author's use of symbolism in his works."
To be the writer or creator of something.
/ˈɔːθər/
To write or create something.
She authored a groundbreaking report on climate change.
💡 Simply: To write or create something.
More Examples
The team authored a new software solution.
How It's Used
"He authored the code for the new application."
Idioms & expressions
ghost author
A writer who is paid to write a book or article for another person, whose name appears as the author.
"She hired a ghost author to write her memoir."
From Latin 'auctor' meaning 'originator, creator'. The word evolved through Old French 'auteur'.
The word 'author' has consistently referred to writers, but its usage has broadened to include creators in other fields.
Memory tip
Think of 'authorship' – the act of writing something.
Word Origin
"originator, creator"