semiautobiographical

American  

[sem-ee-aw-tuh-bahy-uh-graf-i-kuhl, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˌɔ təˌbaɪ əˈgræf ɪ kəl, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

1. pertaining to or being a fictionalized account of an author's own life.

2. pertaining to or being a work of fiction strongly influenced by events in an author's life.

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Etymology

Origin of semiautobiographical

First recorded in 1935–40; semi- + autobiographical

Example Sentences

The books center on semiautobiographical poets and often smuggle in examples of their—that is, Mr. Lerner’s—work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

In Archer City: “The Last Picture Show,” based on Larry McMurtry’s semiautobiographical book, was filmed in the author’s hometown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

In 2009, he published “The Wish Maker,” a semiautobiographical coming-of-age novel set in his home city.

From New York Times • May 10, 2024

The singer-actor’s semiautobiographical CBS show premiered in 2000 and was canceled 18 episodes into its 22-episode order.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2024

Now Santos, 37, is co-starring as Ryan, one of five uncles to Rafa Gonzales, the teenage protagonist in “Primo,” a semiautobiographical comedy created by Shea Serrano about a sprawling Mexican-American family living in San Antonio.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2023