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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.


Etymology

Origin of semiautobiographical

First recorded in 1935–40; semi- + autobiographical


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.

See Examples For:

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

Sundance has long been a haven for semiautobiographical stories from up-and-coming filmmakers, particularly those with less firmly established Hollywood roots than Eisenberg.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 26, 2024

The couple’s extensive, expensive world travels — and Jerry’s hobby of writing semiautobiographical stories about adventurous antiheroes — raised eyebrows.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2023

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