# writer

/ˈɹaɪtɝ/ (US) · /ɹˈaɪtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/writer
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an author

noun · CEFR A1

a person who writes books, stories, articles, or other literary works.

For teachers: a person who produces written work, especially as an occupation or for publication.

- She is a famous writer who has published three novels about history.
- The writer spent several months conducting archival research before drafting the first chapter of her biography on the former prime minister.

### 2. graffiti artist

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

a person who creates graffiti, especially someone who paints their name or art in public places.

For teachers: a practitioner of graffiti art, particularly one who focuses on stylized lettering or 'tags'.

- The local writer painted a colorful mural on the old brick wall.
- The city's underground scene is dominated by a few prolific writers whose distinctive styles are recognizable across several districts.

### 3. finance

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a person or company that sells an option or an insurance policy.

For teachers: the seller of an option contract or the underwriter of an insurance policy.

- As the writer of the option, he receives a fee from the buyer.
- The writer of a call option is obligated to sell the underlying asset at the strike price if the holder chooses to exercise the contract.

### 4. legal practitioner

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Dialect · Archaic

a name used in Scotland for a lawyer or legal professional.

For teachers: a term historically used in Scotland for a solicitor or legal practitioner in smaller towns.

- The family consulted a local writer to help them with the property documents.
- In nineteenth-century Scottish literature, the local writer often served as the primary arbiter of legal and administrative disputes within the village.

## Examples

- She is a famous writer who lives in London.
- The writer spent three years researching the historical background of her latest novel.
- Aspiring writers often struggle to balance the demands of a creative practice with the necessity of maintaining a stable income in a competitive market.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.