Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A British author and playwright: William Somerset Maugham was an English writer, known for his novels, short stories, and plays. He was born in 1874 in Paris, France, and died in 1965.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • William Somerset Maugham is often considered one of the greatest short-story writers of the 20th century.
  • We are studying the works of William Somerset Maugham in our modern literature class.
  • The novel "Of Human Bondage" is a semi-autobiographical work by William Somerset Maugham.

Advanced Usage

• "Maughamesque": (adjective) resembling or characteristic of the style or themes found in the works of William Somerset Maugham, often involving clear, unadorned prose and a cynical or dispassionate observation of human nature.
  • The author's detached, ironic narration is distinctly Maughamesque.

Variants and Related Words

• Somerset Maugham: A common shortened form of the author's name.
  • The Somerset Maugham Award is a literary prize for young British writers.
• W. Somerset Maugham: A standard abbreviated form used in publishing and citations.

Synonyms

• Author: A writer of a book, article, or report.
• Novelist: A writer of novels.
• Playwright: A person who writes plays.
• Short-story writer: An author specializing in short stories.

Related Phrases

• "The Razor's Edge": The title of one of Maugham's most famous novels, often cited independently.
• "The Moon and Sixpence": The title of another major novel by Maugham, based on the life of Paul Gauguin.

Noun

1. English writer (born in France) of novels and short stories (1874-1965)