author

American  

[aw-ther] / ˈɔ θər /

noun

1. a person who writes a novel, poem, essay, etc.; the composer of a literary work, as distinguished from a compiler, translator, editor, or copyist.

2. the literary production or productions of a writer.

   to find a passage in an author.

3. the maker of anything; creator; originator.

   the author of a new tax plan.

4. Computers. the writer of a software program, especially a hypertext or multimedia application.

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verb (used with object)

1. to write; be the author of.

   He authored a history of the Civil War.

2. to originate; create a design for.

   She authored a new system for teaching chemistry.

author British  

/ ɔːˈθɔːrɪəl, ˈɔːθə /

noun

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

2. a person who writes books as a profession; writer

3. the writings of such a person

   reviewing a postwar author

4. an originator or creator

   the author of this plan

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verb

1. to write or originate

Other Word Forms

• authorial
  adjective
• authorless
  adjective
• multiauthored
  adjective
• proauthor
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of author

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English auct(h)or, from Latin auctor “founder, originator, writer,” equivalent to aug(ēre) “to increase” ( cf. augment) + -tor -tor; replacing Middle English auto(u)r, from Anglo-French; Old French autor, from Latin, as above

Explanation

An author is a person who writes books or articles, usually for money. It can also refer to the person responsible for something, like the author of a plan to overthrow the student government. Author comes from the Latin word auctorem, meaning "founder, master, leader." Bow down to the author! Well, no need for that, just make sure the author gets credit. Author usually refers to a professional writer. In fact, author can be used interchangeably with the word writer. But author packs a little more punch — an author is involved in the creation of the work and generating the ideas behind it; strictly speaking, a writer could just execute the written product.

Example Sentences

Author Kent Smetters called it a “silver bullet” for low-income workers “to have a decent-sized nest egg without actually having to save more than what they already do.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Author Michael Wolff said last year that Epstein played a role in introducing the couple in a Daily Beast article that was later retracted.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Author Andrew Lownie made a similar accusation in his book, “Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.”

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

Author Andy Weir incorporates complex mathematical concepts into his storytelling, focusing on the science portion of the genre.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

There, underneath the words Author Victoria Valence, was a photo of V. The woman without any words had written millions of them.

From "A Tangle of Knots" by Lisa Graff

Related Words

• biographer
• columnist
• composer
• creator
• journalist
• poet
• producer
• reporter
• writer