autograph

American  

[aw-tuh-graf, -grahf] / ˈɔ təˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf /

noun

1. a person's own signature.

   He collects autographs of artists.

2. something written in a person's own hand, as a manuscript or letter.

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adjective

1. written by a person's own hand.

   an autograph letter.

2. containing autographs.

   an autograph album.

verb (used with object)

1. to write one's name on or in; sign.

   to autograph a book.

2. to write with one's own hand.

autograph British  

/ ˈɔːtəˌɡrɑːf, -ˌɡræf, ˌɔːtəˈɡræfɪk /

noun

1. 1. a handwritten signature, esp that of a famous person

   2. ( as modifier )

      an autograph album

2. a person's handwriting

3. 1. a book, document, etc, handwritten by its author; original manuscript; holograph

   2. ( as modifier )

      an autograph letter

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verb

1. to write one's signature on or in; sign

2. to write with one's own hand

Other Word Forms

• autographic
  adjective
• autographical
  adjective
• autographically
  adverb
• unautographed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of autograph

1630–40; < Latin autographum, noun use of neuter of Latin autographus written with one's own hand < Greek autógraphos. See auto- ¹, -graph

Explanation

If you sign your name on something, you autograph it. You have to autograph a check before it can be cashed. An autograph is a signature. Famous people are asked for their autographs all the time, but you might be surprised and flattered if a little girl asked for yours after you played Dorothy in your community theater production of "The Wizard of Oz." An original manuscript or musical composition written in the handwriting of the author or composer is also called an autograph. In 1938, the Museum of Modern Art displayed an autograph of Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer."

Example Sentences

The Wells Fargo Autograph card, which Bilt 1.0 users will automatically receive if they don’t transition to the new card, does not have an annual fee.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 29, 2026

That already shatters the current record price garnered by a basketball card — the $5.9 million paid for the 2009-10 Panini National Treasures Stephen Curry Logoman Autograph card in a 2021 private estate sale.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

And it’s just a few hundred yards from the Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection on Ambergris Caye.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2022

During a Q&A with Autograph NFTs, Gronkowski admitted that there is one other QB he’d love to play with.

From Fox News • Feb. 8, 2022

This position is established in both places.153.Yet some people appear to think, that the worse a text is the more reason there is to suppose that it was close to the Autograph Original.

From The Traditional Text of the Holy Gospels by Burgon, John William

Related Words

• endorsement