semi-autobiographical
adjective
semi-au·to·bio·graph·i·cal
ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˌbī-ə-ˈgra-fi-kəl 
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
variants
or less commonly semiautobiographical
: partly autobiography and partly fiction : being a fictionalized account of the author's life
a semi-autobiographical novel/film
… James Herriott's semiautobiographical story of his return from WWII to family and friends.—
TV Guide
TV GuideThe play is a convincing picture of a brief but powerful relationship, based on Owen's copious letters and the semi-autobiographical account of Sassoon's George Sherston.—Simon Berry
Simon BerryPedro Almodóvar's most recent drama is one of his most personal: a semi-autobiographical study of an aging, isolated filmmaker who reconnects with an estranged colleague … and starts reassessing his own life.—Norman Wilner
Norman WilnerIn this semiautobiographical take on her own life, [Pamela] Adlon plays "Sam," a working actress and single parent in Los Angeles.—Kit Steinkellner
Kit Steinkellner
also
: of, relating to, or in the style of a semi-autobiographical work
a semi-autobiographical protagonist/character/role
Through semiautobiographical storytelling, Jenna Dawn Maclellan's project will address the challenges of daily life in the North … —The Sudbury Star
The Sudbury Star The acclaimed artist … is known for the semi-autobiographical nature of his work, which riffs on his own youth in the Vancouver suburb of Port Coquitlam. —Guy Dixon
Guy Dixon Is this all meant to be a semi-autobiographical comment on what fame does to relationships, since [Darren] Aronofsky and [Jennifer] Lawrence are an item in real life? —Ryan Lambie
Ryan Lambie Examples of semi-autobiographical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This semi-autobiographical comedy from Judd Apatow draws heavily from the director’s own experiences, with his real-life wife, Leslie Mann, appearing in the film as the family matriarch and his two daughters, Maude and Iris Apato, appearing as the children.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The semi-autobiographical story of Egyptian American comedian, actor and director Youssef is at the center of this period comedy where Michael Jordan, music piracy and Britney Spears still dominate the news.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
The semi-autobiographical Overcompensating follows closeted former high school football player Benny (Skinner), who becomes friends with an outsider, Carmen (Wally Baram), who is trying his hardest to fit in.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2025
The semi-autobiographical story closely mirrors that of a May 1986 afternoon spent at a New Jersey movie theater, during Kevin's teenage years.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025
The podcast also coincides with Bell’s release of his latest album Non Stop Flight, a 35-track, semi-autobiographical collection of tunes.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
Her second film, The Lyricist Wannabe, is a semi-autobiographical comedy drama about a young woman attempting to become a Canto-pop lyricist.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
In Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical film, the actress plays Penny Lane, a groupie for the fictional band Stillwater.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 26 Feb. 2025
By Sunday, news of the ban reached the Oscar-winning actress, whose first book, the semi-autobiographical children’s story Freckleface Strawberry, was published in 2007.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
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Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The semi-autobiographical story of Egyptian American comedian, actor and director Youssef is at the center of this period comedy where Michael Jordan, music piracy and Britney Spears still dominate the news.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
The semi-autobiographical Overcompensating follows closeted former high school football player Benny (Skinner), who becomes friends with an outsider, Carmen (Wally Baram), who is trying his hardest to fit in.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2025
The semi-autobiographical story closely mirrors that of a May 1986 afternoon spent at a New Jersey movie theater, during Kevin's teenage years.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025
The podcast also coincides with Bell’s release of his latest album Non Stop Flight, a 35-track, semi-autobiographical collection of tunes.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
Her second film, The Lyricist Wannabe, is a semi-autobiographical comedy drama about a young woman attempting to become a Canto-pop lyricist.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
In Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical film, the actress plays Penny Lane, a groupie for the fictional band Stillwater.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 26 Feb. 2025
By Sunday, news of the ban reached the Oscar-winning actress, whose first book, the semi-autobiographical children’s story Freckleface Strawberry, was published in 2007.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semi-autobiographical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semi-autobiographical. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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