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Synonyms

writer

American  
[rahy-ter] / ˈraɪ tər /

noun

  1. a person engaged in writing writing books, articles, stories, etc., especially as an occupation or profession; an author or journalist.

  2. a clerk, scribe, or the like.

  3. a person who commits their thoughts, ideas, etc., to writing: writing.

    She's an expert letter writer.

  4. (in a piece of writing) the author (used as a circumlocution for “I,” “me,” “my,” etc.).

    The writer wishes to state….

  5. a person who writes or is able to write.

    a writer in script.

  6. Stock Exchange. someone who sells options.

  7. Scot. a lawyer or solicitor.


writer British  
/ ˈraɪtə /

noun

  1. a person who writes books, articles, etc, esp as an occupation

  2. the person who has written something specified

  3. a person who is able to write or write well

  4. a scribe or clerk

  5. a composer of music

  6. a legal practitioner, such as a notary or solicitor

  7. (in Scotland) a member of an ancient society of solicitors, now having the exclusive privilege of preparing crown writs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of writer

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English wrītere; write, -er 1

Vocabulary lists containing writer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Lee Carr is a writer and golfer in Independence, Ohio.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Why, I’ve heard of readers so narrow, they only ever read one writer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

This writer didn’t seem to know some of the basic skills of their role, but Jessica’s manager had a solution: Had she tried asking ChatGPT?

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

She is a prolific writer, having published 29 novels so far, and has already topped the best-seller charts this year with three books - The Housemaid, Want to Know a Secret? and Dear Debbie.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

But she shared some of them with her friends and family, and she sent a whole bunch to a writer named Thomas Wentworth Higginson, who mentored her.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison