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Synonyms

writer

American  
[rahy-ter] / ˈraɪ tər /

noun

  1. a person engaged in writing writing books, articles, stories, etc., especially as an occupation or profession; an author or journalist.

  2. a clerk, scribe, or the like.

  3. a person who commits their thoughts, ideas, etc., to writing: writing.

    She's an expert letter writer.

  4. (in a piece of writing) the author (used as a circumlocution for “I,” “me,” “my,” etc.).

    The writer wishes to state….

  5. a person who writes or is able to write.

    a writer in script.

  6. Stock Exchange. someone who sells options.

  7. Scot. a lawyer or solicitor.

writer British  
/ ˈraɪtə /

noun

  1. a person who writes books, articles, etc, esp as an occupation

  2. the person who has written something specified

  3. a person who is able to write or write well

  4. a scribe or clerk

  5. a composer of music

  6. a legal practitioner, such as a notary or solicitor

  7. (in Scotland) a member of an ancient society of solicitors, now having the exclusive privilege of preparing crown writs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of writer

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English wrītere; write, -er 1

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.

His colleagues described Keenan as smart and a strong writer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

It remains Galsworthy’s most famous individual novel and established him as a serious writer and a progressive public voice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Welsh-born writer and executive producer Barry said: "Old Town Murders is more than a crime drama; at its heart, it's about friendship, reinvention and the courage to begin again later in life."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Plaza and Baena—a writer and director—purchased their home together in October 2022, paying $4.7 million for the Los Feliz property.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

“Hey, we got a writer living here,” I told him.

From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.