biography

[ bahy-og-ruh-fee, bee- ]

noun

plural biographies.

1. a written account of another person's life:

   the biography of Byron by Marchand.

2. an account in biographical form of an organization, society, theater, animal, etc.
3. such writings collectively.
4. the writing of biography as an occupation or field of endeavor.

biography

/ baɪˈɒɡrəfɪ; ˌbaɪəˈɡræfɪkəl /

noun

1. an account of a person's life by another
2. such accounts collectively

biography

1. The story of someone's life. The Life of Samuel Johnson , by James Boswell , and Abraham Lincoln , by Carl Sandburg , are two noted biographies. The story of the writer's own life is an autobiography .

Derived Forms

• biˈographer, noun
• biographical, adjective
• ˌbioˈgraphically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of biography¹

From the Greek word biographía, dating back to 1675–85. See bio-, -graphy

Example Sentences

All of these characters — even the more objectively callous ones like Father, a retired energy industry magnate writing a revisionist biography to absolve his culpability — teem with empathy.

From Salon

Newman, who turned 81 last week, spoke about Hilburn’s biography and about his music from his home in Pacific Palisades, where he’s been recovering from a series of medical procedures, including three knee operations.

From Los Angeles Times

He also received his GED, attended Coastline Community College and completed vocational trade programs while incarcerated, according to an “Ear Hustle” biography.

From Los Angeles Times

A 2005 biography of Bradford suggested she was indeed descended from lofty stock by way of her mother, who was, it said, the illegitimate daughter of a marquis.

From BBC

It’s disputed history, for one thing, which means it unnecessarily slathers genre suspense on an already overwrought, cookie-cutter and ideologically ultra-confident biography.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• autobiography
• diary
• journal
• life
• life story
• memoir
• picture
• profile
• sketch