English Reference
noun · verb · adjective

autograph

n. · v. · adj.
US /ˈɔtəˌɡɹæf/ UK /ˈɔːtəɡɹˌæf/ au·to·graph UK spelling autographs

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.the signature of a famous person, usually written for a fan who admires them.

    n.a person's own handwriting, specifically the signature of a famous or admired individual collected by a devotee.

    Simple

    The young fans waited outside the stadium for hours to get the player's autograph.

    In context

    The collector possessed a rare autograph of the reclusive author, signed on a napkin during a chance encounter in a Parisian café.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency TechnicalFormal Art

    n.a document or piece of music written by the author's own hand, not printed.

    n.a manuscript or musical score written in the author's or composer's own handwriting rather than being typed or printed.

    Simple

    The museum displayed the composer's autograph score of the famous symphony.

    In context

    Scholars examined the autograph manuscript to identify revisions the poet had made before the first edition went to press.

    holographmanuscript
  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    v.to sign your name on something, especially if you are famous.

    v.to write one's signature on a book, photograph, or other item, typically at the request of an admirer.

    Simple

    The author agreed to autograph copies of her new book after the talk.

    In context

    The lead singer spent nearly an hour autographing posters and memorabilia for the crowd gathered behind the stage door.

    signinscribe
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Technical Art

    adj.written or made by the original author or artist themselves.

    adj.written in the author's own handwriting or produced by the artist personally; denotes authenticity.

    Simple

    The library holds several autograph letters written by the former president.

    In context

    The auction house verified the autograph nature of the sketch, confirming it was indeed a preliminary study by the master himself.


From Latin autographum, in turn from Ancient Greek αὐτόγραφον (autógraphon, “a writing in one’s own hand”). Equivalent to auto- + -graph.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated