autobiography

noun

au·​to·​bi·​og·​ra·​phy ˌȯ-tə-bī-ˈä-grə-fē How to pronounce autobiography (audio)
-bē-
plural autobiographies
: the biography of a person narrated by that person : a usually written account of a person's life in their own words
celebrity autobiographies
The fall and rise of Chrysler Corporation is an oft-told tale—three books on the subject have appeared already, including Lee Iacocca's bestselling autobiography.Jerry Flint
Frederick Douglass's autobiographies are invaluable both for what they reveal about antebellum slavery and for what they reveal about a remarkable American.Peter Kolchin
This last book … is part autobiography and part fiction, though it is listed as fiction.Mims Cushing
Some 400 crowded both floors of the bookstore and lined up around the block as Iggy [Pop] signed the entire stock of 200 copies of his autobiography "I Need More."Publishers Weekly
In recent years, the biggest-selling baseball books have been autobiographies of colorful personalities, written with the aid of collaborators.Ray Walters
The letters are arranged chronologically and episodically to form an autobiography.William S. McFeely

Examples of autobiography in a Sentence

I read her autobiography last year.
Recent Examples on the Web Bergamot Comedy Fest brings diversity, laughs and learning to ‘the industry’s backyard’ Part motivational speech, part autobiography, Lawrence bared his soul to the audience but offered solid and practical advice for any comedians hoping to work as comedy writers. Alex Distefano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024 Dreams From My Father, his first memoir, drew from a humanist tradition of American autobiography laid down by Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2024 These were mockups that Julien’s uses to entice potential clients: the auction catalogue as a kind of ghostwritten autobiography, a life told through objects. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Her work delves into the realms of autobiography and introspection, with a keen interest in challenging and understanding personal and societal narratives. Photovogue, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2024 The National Book Critics Circle announced its 2023 awards in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, biography, autobiography, poetry and criticism. Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024 The autobiographies of Eileen Collins, Jennifer McCullom, and Lisa Lutoff-Perlo offer invaluable leadership lessons derived from the depth, challenges, obstacles and opportunities of their diverse experiences, achievements and industries. Dr. Ruth Gotian, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 But for obvious reasons the twins rarely tailored the lyrics toward autobiography in the same way Carlile was able to. Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 In presenting the worst aspects of his most vulnerable self, Reznor’s music edges towards autobiography that would later manifest as a whirlwind of punishing self-reflection. Adam Steiner, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'autobiography.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

auto- + biography, perhaps after German Autobiographie

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of autobiography was in 1797

Dictionary Entries Near autobiography

Cite this Entry

“Autobiography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autobiography. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

autobiography

noun
au·​to·​bi·​og·​ra·​phy ˌȯt-ə-bī-ˈäg-rə-fē How to pronounce autobiography (audio)
-bē-
: a biography written by the person it is about
autobiographer noun
autobiographical adjective
also autobiographic
autobiographically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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