- 1 a person who writes books or the person who wrote a particular book Who is your favourite author? He is the author of three books on art. best-selling author Paul Theroux Who's the author? Wordfinderwriteauthor, book, classic, critic, drama, fiction, genre, literature, poetry, write CollocationsLiteratureBeing a writer write/publish literature/poetry/fiction/a book/a story/a poem/a novel/a review/an autobiography become a writer/novelist/playwright find/have a publisher/an agent have a new book out edit/revise/proofread a book/text/manuscript dedicate a book/poem to…Plot, character and atmosphere construct/create/weave/weave something into a complex narrative advance/drive the plot introduce/present the protagonist/a character describe/depict/portray a character (as…)/(somebody as) a hero/villain create an exciting/a tense atmosphere build/heighten the suspense/tension evoke/capture the pathos of the situation convey emotion/an idea/an impression/a sense of… engage the reader seize/capture/grip the (reader’s) imagination arouse/elicit emotion/sympathy (in the reader) lack imagination/emotion/structure/rhythmLanguage, style and imagery use/employ language/imagery/humour/(especially US English) humor/an image/a symbol/a metaphor/a device use/adopt/develop a style/technique be rich in/be full of symbolism evoke images of…/a sense of…/a feeling of… create/achieve an effect maintain/lighten the tone introduce/develop an idea/a theme inspire a novel/a poet/somebody’s work/somebody’s imaginationReading and criticism read an author/somebody’s work/fiction/poetry/a text/a poem/a novel/a chapter/a passage review a book/a novel/somebody’s work give something/get/have/receive a good/bad review be hailed (as)/be recognized as a masterpiece quote a(n) phrase/line/stanza/passage/author provoke/spark discussion/criticism study/interpret/understand a text/passage translate somebody’s work/a text/a passage/a novel/a poem Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebest-selling, prolific, famous, … verb + authorread, cite, quote, … author + verbwrite (something), argue something, conclude something, … See full entry See related entries: People in publishing, Professions
- 2the person who creates or starts something, especially a plan or an idea As the author of the proposal I cannot agree with you. Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘a person who invents or causes something’): from Old French autor, from Latin auctor, from augere ‘increase, originate, promote’. The spelling with th arose in the 15th cent., and perhaps became established under the influence of authentic.Extra examples Her ambition was to become a published author. Primarily a children’s author, she has also written books for adults. Stephen King is an author I’ve never read. The author was writing in the 17th century. The study’s authors conclude that there is insufficient evidence to justify the policy. the anonymous author of this pamphlet the lead author of the report He is the author of a plan to bring peace to the region. Scott is the author of ‘Waverley’. She is a published author. Who’s the author? authors of the latest peace plan
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BrE BrE//ˈɔːθə(r)//; NAmE NAmE//ˈɔːθər//
People in publishing, ProfessionsCheck pronunciation: author
