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

• writer

Verb

• write
• pen

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

For Halloween 2021, Pepper Thai — cookbook author and Chrissy Teigen's mom — showed off her costume on Instagram as the ultimate momager, wearing a fur coat and holding a Hermès Birkin bag. —Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

Idan Weiss stars as the The Metamorphosis and The Trial author alongside a cast also featuring Peter Kurth, Jenovéfa Boková, Ivan Trojan, and Sandra Korzeniak. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025

Verb

Gagnon's was the second trade proposal authored by a major outlet Wednesday, in which the Raiders receive incoming draft compensation as part of the acquisition of a quarterback with once high expectations who has fallen out of favor with his current organization. —Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee co-authored the report on Hunter Biden and Burisma. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 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