Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who writes a book, article, report, or other literary work: An "author" is someone who creates written content professionally or otherwise.
   • A person who originates or creates something: An "author" can also refer to someone who is the source or cause of an idea, plan, or situation.

2. Verb:

   • To be the writer or originator of a literary work or idea: To "author" something means to write it or to be the creative force behind it.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • J.K. Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter series.
  • He was the author of the new policy that improved efficiency.

• Verb:

  • She authored a groundbreaking paper on climate science.
  • The committee authored the proposal for the new community center.

Advanced Usage

• "The author of one's own misfortune": This phrase describes someone who is responsible for their own problems or failures due to their own actions.
  • By ignoring all advice, he became the author of his own misfortune.

Variants and Related Words

• Authorship (n): The state or fact of being the writer of a book, article, etc., or the originator of an idea.
  • The authorship of the ancient text is still debated by scholars.
• Authorial (adj): Relating to an author.
  • The book provides an insight into the authorial process.

Synonyms

• Writer: A person who has written something or who writes in a particular way.
• Creator: A person or thing that brings something into existence.
• Originator: A person who creates or initiates something.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Author" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its usage is primarily as a standard verb or noun.)

Related Idioms

• "Like author, like book": This idiom suggests that you can understand an author's character from their writing, implying the work reflects the creator.
  • His novels are always dark and complex; like author, like book.

Noun

1. someone who originates or causes or initiates something
   • he was the generator of several complaints
2. writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

Verb

1. be the author of
   • She authored this play