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So You've Been Asked to Submit a Biography
In a library, the word biography refers both to a kind of book and to a section where books of that kind are found. Each biography tells the story of a real person's life. A biography may be about someone who lived long ago, recently, or even someone who is still living, though in the last case it must necessarily be incomplete. The term autobiography refers to a biography written by the person it's about. Autobiographies are of course also necessarily incomplete.
Sometimes biographies are significantly shorter than a book—something anyone who's been asked to submit a biography for, say, a conference or a community newsletter will be glad to know. Often the word in these contexts is shortened to bio, a term that can be both a synonym of biography and a term for what is actually a biographical sketch: a brief description of a person's life. These kinds of biographies—bios—vary, but many times they are only a few sentences long. Looking at bios that have been used in the same context can be a useful guide in determining what to put in your own.
Examples of bio in a Sentence
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Mundt worked as an investor relations associate at Ruffer LLP in London from June 2022 to October 2023, per her bio.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
After downplaying the prospect of a new album in recent interviews, Grande began posting hints to the contrary in March, like a flower emoji in her Instagram bio.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
Prior to her current role, Sicks was an attorney at the prominent Stinson law firm and was based in the firm’s real estate and public finance division from 2011 to 2016, according to her company bio.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bio
Cite this Entry
“Bio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bio. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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