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

From the photo of herself as an adolescent on the cover to the numerous parallels between the biographies of character and author, Ullmann invites her readers to interpret these texts as based on life. —Nadja Spiegelman, New York Times, 23 July 2025

Alice Randall, a renowned country songwriter and author, recently discussed the deep connection between country music and Black history at Fisk University. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 23 July 2025

Verb

During the 2025 legislative session, Bettencourt authored Senate Bill 1365, which would have given the TEA authority to appoint state oversight over districts that sue the state over academic accountability. —Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025

Perhaps a rough night at rehearsals for the chronically employable actor, or, more likely, with them out of school, a long morning with the kids — five in total, three of whom are with Eberstein, two of whom were authored by Grant and his ex-partner, Tinglan Hong? —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 12 July 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