writer
Americannoun
-
a person engaged in writing writing books, articles, stories, etc., especially as an occupation or profession; an author or journalist.
-
a clerk, scribe, or the like.
-
a person who commits their thoughts, ideas, etc., to writing: writing.
She's an expert letter writer.
-
(in a piece of writing) the author (used as a circumlocution for “I,” “me,” “my,” etc.).
The writer wishes to state….
-
a person who writes or is able to write.
a writer in script.
-
Stock Exchange. someone who sells options.
-
Scot. a lawyer or solicitor.
noun
-
a person who writes books, articles, etc, esp as an occupation
-
the person who has written something specified
-
a person who is able to write or write well
-
a scribe or clerk
-
a composer of music
-
a legal practitioner, such as a notary or solicitor
-
(in Scotland) a member of an ancient society of solicitors, now having the exclusive privilege of preparing crown writs
Etymology
Origin of writer
First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English wrītere; write, -er 1
Vocabulary lists containing writer
Common Core Grades 9–10, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Common Core Grades 11–12, List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Foundational Reading
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.