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)

authors, present (3rd person singular) authored, past participle, past authoring present participle

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

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has authored
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have authored
  perfect
• have been authoring
  perfect progressive
• has been authoring
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• authors
  singular 3rd person
• is authoring
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am authoring
  progressive 1st person singular
• are authoring
  progressive
• authoring
  participle

Past

• had authored
  perfect
• had been authoring
  perfect progressive
• were authoring
  progressive plural
• authored
  simple
• authored
  participle
• was authoring
  progressive singular

Future

• will author
  simple
• will have authored
  perfect
• will have been authoring
  perfect progressive
• will be authoring
  progressive

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

Lithgow won best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play for his portrayal of the controversial, beloved British author Roald Dahl in Mark Rosenblatt’s poignant drama “Giant,” directed by Nicholas Hytner.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

It can suggest a demand for action from the players, and a way of getting something out of the match, Chris Hunt, the author of World Cup Stories, told the BBC.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

“The ambition of Gaudí was to write the Bible in stone,” said Gijs van Hensbergen, author of a biography of the Catalan architect.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

"This was surprising," said Seung Gyo Jeong, first author of the study and a researcher in Jalan's group.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026

“You know I love to write. You know I want to be an author or a journalist someday!”

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

Related Words

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