writer's block

American  

noun

1. a usually temporary condition in which a writer finds it impossible to proceed with the writing of a novel, play, or other work.

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Etymology

Origin of writer's block

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

writer's block

But despite his success, he was not immune to suffering from writer's block.

From Barron's ● Feb. 18, 2026

Since then, Musk apparently came down with a kind of writer’s block.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 8, 2025

In the grip of a serious case of writer's block, her life takes a fortuitous turn when she is accepted at a Jane Austen retreat after Félix secretly submits an application on her behalf.

From Salon ● May 30, 2025

I had writer’s block as well for a while and I was like Jack Torrance in “The Shining” writing the same sentence again.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2025

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says the writer's block she experienced after becoming pregnant with her first child was "terrifying".

From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2025