author

1 of 2

noun

au·​thor ˈȯ-thər 

1

: the writer of a literary work (such as a book)

a famous author

2

a

: one that originates or creates something : source

software authors

film authors

the author of this crime

b

capitalized : god sense 1

authorial

ȯ-ˈthȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

author

2 of 2

verb

authored; authoring; authors

transitive verb

: to be the author of : write

a writer who has authored several bestsellers

Synonyms

Noun

• litterateur
• littérateur
• pen
• penman
• scribe
• scrivener
• writer

Verb

• pen
• scratch (out)
• scribble
• write

Examples of author in a Sentence

Noun

The author of the article didn't check his facts.

I enjoyed the book, but I can't remember the name of the author.

She is the author of a plan for reforming the school system.

Verb

authored a new biography of Thomas Jefferson

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the petition, St. Clair said New York is the home state of the child, who goes by R.S.C. The author alleges in the petition that Musk is the father of the baby boy, who was born in September 2024 (the exact date has been redacted in the filing). —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025

This year’s culinary spotlight shines on some superstars: Edward Lee of Nami in Louisville, Kentucky, is author of several books including Bourbon Land and is also the cofounder of the LEE Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to diversity and equality in the restaurant industry. —Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

Verb

Senate Bill 1, authored by Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, is a massive property tax relief plan that is the Republican supermajority’s main priority for this legislative session. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025

Gene Hackman dies:Oscar-winning actor, wife Betsy Arakawa found dead in their home Gene Hackman books include historical fiction, westerns Hackman authored and co-authored a total of five books, ranging from historical fiction novels to Old West epics. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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 — more at eke entry 2

Note: Variants with medial -th-, as aucthour, authour, etc., become current in the sixteenth century and lead to spelling pronunciations with [θ] in the seventeenth century. The spellings are presumed to reflect association with authentic and its Latin and Greek sources, as author in the sense "the first beginner and mover of anything," as Samuel Johnson put it, is the ultimate guarantor of authenticity.

Verb

derivative of author entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

1597, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing author

• co-author

Rhymes for author

• coauthor

Kids Definition

author

noun

au·​thor

ˈȯ-thər

1

: a person who creates a written work : writer

2

: one that starts or creates

author of a plan for education

author verb