author
Americannoun
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a person who writes a novel, poem, essay, etc.; the composer of a literary work, as distinguished from a compiler, translator, editor, or copyist.
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the literary production or productions of a writer.
to find a passage in an author.
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the maker of anything; creator; originator.
the author of a new tax plan.
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Computers. the writer of a software program, especially a hypertext or multimedia application.
verb (used with object)
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to write; be the author of.
He authored a history of the Civil War.
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to originate; create a design for.
She authored a new system for teaching chemistry.
noun
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a person who composes a book, article, or other written work
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a person who writes books as a profession; writer
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the writings of such a person
reviewing a postwar author
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an originator or creator
the author of this plan
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has authoredperfect 3rd person singular
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have authoredperfect
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have been authoringperfect progressive
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has been authoringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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authorssingular 3rd person
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is authoringprogressive 3rd person singular
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am authoringprogressive 1st person singular
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are authoringprogressive
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authoringparticiple
Past
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had authoredperfect
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had been authoringperfect progressive
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were authoringprogressive plural
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authoredsimple
-
authoredparticiple
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was authoringprogressive singular
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing author
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 1
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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
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Book Words for Book Worms
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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.
“I’m an author. I’m a writer. And at this perilous moment, I am really going to try to fight for everybody as best I can.”
From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2023
“We thought perhaps it was part of a stunt to show that there’s still a lot of controversy around this author. But it became evident in a few seconds” that it wasn’t, she said.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 12, 2022
“I am not a children’s author. I don’t have experience writing for this audience beyond just making up stories at bedtime for my own child. So I needed to write about something I knew.”
From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2021
A few chapters in, he says: “I’m sorry. I haven’t introduced myself. I’m an author. My name is ______. Maybe you’ve heard of me and maybe you haven’t, but you’ve probably heard of my book.”
From Washington Post • Aug. 12, 2021
“Right, Baba. Gogol’s your favorite author. I know.”
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
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.
