Author — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈȯ-thər/ au·thor

Meaning & Definition of Author

Author (noun)

  1. the writer of a literary work (such as a book)
  2. one that originates or creates something, source
  3. god

Author (verb)

  1. to be the author of, write

Author (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who creates a written work

    "a brilliant novel by a first-time author"

    similar: litterateur, pen, penman, scribe, scrivener, writer, man of letters, woman of letters
    related: auteur, belletrist, stylist, wordsmith, coauthor, coscenarist, cowriter, ghostwriter, hack, hatchet man, scribbler, wordmonger, biographer, hagiographer, autobiographer, memoirist, memorialist, fabulist, fictioneer, fictionist, novelist, romancer, storyteller, essayist, pamphleteer, satirist, dramatist, playwright, scenarist, screenwriter, scriptwriter, prosaist, prosateur, proser, bard, poet, rhymer, versifier, blogger, columnist, journalist, newspaperman, paragrapher, reporter, sportswriter
    opposite: nonauthor

  2. a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor

    "the author of modern genetics"

    similar: begetter, creator, establisher, father, founder, founding father, generator, inaugurator, initiator, instituter, originator, sire
    related: cocreator, cofounder, conceiver, contriver, designer, deviser, formulator, innovator, introducer, inventor, spawner, builder, maker, producer, developer, pioneer, researcher, researchist, organizer, promoter, encourager, galvanizer, inspiration, inspirer
    near: disciple, follower, pupil, student, supporter

  3. the being worshipped as the creator and ruler of the universe

    "let us thank the Author of our being for all the blessings He has bestowed"

    similar: Allah, Almighty, Creator, deity, Divinity, Eternal, Everlasting, Father, God, Godhead, Jehovah, King, Lord, Maker, Providence, Supreme Being, Yahweh

Author (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to compose and set down on paper the words of

    "authored a new biography of Thomas Jefferson"

    similar: pen, scratch (out), scribble, write
    related: cast, compose, craft, draft, draw up, formulate, frame, prepare, recast, redraft, revise, rewrite, letter, print, type, typewrite, record, take down, transcribe, autograph, pencil (in), register, sign, couch, express, phrase, put, word

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Author

The most common words with a similar meaning to Author:

litterateur, pen, penman, scribe, scrivener, writer, begetter, creator, establisher, father, founder, founding father, generator, inaugurator, initiator, instituter, originator, sire, Allah, Almighty, Creator, deity, Divinity, Eternal, Everlasting, Father, God, Godhead, Jehovah, King, Lord, Maker, Providence, Supreme Being, Yahweh, man of letters, woman of letters, scratch (out), scribble, write

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Author

Words with the opposite meaning of Author:

nonauthor

Related Words for Author

auteur, belletrist, stylist, wordsmith, coauthor, coscenarist, cowriter, ghostwriter, hack, hatchet man, scribbler, wordmonger, biographer, hagiographer, autobiographer, memoirist, memorialist, fabulist, fictioneer, fictionist, novelist, romancer, storyteller, essayist, pamphleteer, satirist, dramatist, playwright, scenarist, screenwriter

Near Antonyms of Author

disciple, follower, pupil, student, supporter

Word Forms of Author

Inflections: authored, authoring, authors

Derived words: authorial (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Author

Middle English autour, auctour, actour "originator, creator, authoritative source, writer," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French auctur, auttour, actour "originator, creator, instigator, party, authority, writer," borrowed from Latin auctōr-, auctor "principal in a sale, person entitled to take action or authorize, authoritative writer, originator, creator, agent, founder," from augēre "to increase" + -tor, agent suffix eke:2

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Author

Words & Phrases Containing Author

coauthor

Frequently Asked Questions about Author

What does "Author" mean?

"Author" means the writer of a literary work (such as a book). As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the writer of a literary work (such as a book). It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Author"?

Other words for "Author" include litterateur, pen, penman, scribe, scrivener, writer, begetter and creator. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Author" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Author"?

There are 137 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Author". Common alternatives include litterateur, pen, penman, scribe, scrivener, writer, begetter, creator, establisher and father.

What is the opposite of "Author"?

Antonyms of "Author" include nonauthor. Near antonyms include disciple, follower, pupil and student.

How do you use "Author" in a sentence?

Examples of "Author" in a sentence: "a brilliant novel by a first-time author"; "the author of modern genetics"; "let us thank the Author of our being for all the blessings He has bestowed".

Is "Author" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Author" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Author" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Author" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Author"?

"Author" is pronounced /ˈȯ-thər/ and divided into syllables as au·thor.