Word
author
Phoneticsau·thor, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɔθɝ/
UK/ˈɔːθɐ/
Definitions
01writer of a book
A2 · Elementary Countable noun General-service
n. the person who wrote a specific book, article, or story.
n. the individual responsible for the creation of a literary, scientific, or artistic work.
“She is the author of several popular children's books.”
“The author spent three years researching the historical context of the novel before writing the first chapter.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'of' to indicate the work created.
Pitfall
Who is the writer of this book?
Who is the author of this book?
While 'writer' is okay, 'author' is the standard word when talking about the person who created a specific published work.
Teaching tip
In academic contexts, 'author' is preferred over 'writer' for its sense of authority and ownership.
Antonyms
02originator of an idea
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Formal
n. the person who starts or causes something to happen.
n. the originator, instigator, or primary cause of a plan, event, or situation.
“He was the author of the company's new success.”
“Historians still debate who was the true author of the peace treaty that ended the decade-long conflict.”
Usage
Often used metaphorically to describe someone who designs a complex plan or policy.
Teaching tip
This sense is more abstract and formal than the literary sense.
Synonyms
03to write or create
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic · Formal
v. to write a book, report, or document.
v. to be the author of a work; to write or originate a document or plan.
“The professor has authored many papers on climate change.”
“The committee members collectively authored the final report, ensuring that every department's concerns were addressed.”
Usage
A transitive verb that always takes a direct object.
Teaching tip
Some traditionalists dislike 'author' as a verb, but it is standard in academic and professional English.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “author” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English auctour, from Anglo-Norman autour, from Old French autor, from Latin auctor, from augeō (“to increase, originate”). The h, also found in Middle French autheur, is unetymological as there is no h in the original Latin spelling. The OED attributes the h to contamination by authentic. Doublet of auteur.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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