biography
A biography is a true story about someone's life written by another person.
Explanation at your level:
A biography is a book about a person. It tells you their name, where they were born, and what they did. It is a true story, not a made-up one.
You read a biography to learn about a famous person. It tells you about their life from when they were a child until they grew up. It is a very good way to learn history.
A biography provides a detailed account of a person's life. It is written by someone else, usually an author or historian. It covers their achievements and the challenges they faced during their lifetime.
When an author writes a biography, they research the person's life carefully. They look at letters, diaries, and historical records to provide an accurate and balanced view of the subject's character and impact.
A high-quality biography goes beyond simple facts. It offers a critical evaluation of the subject's life, placing their personal experiences within the social and political context of their time. It is a complex literary form.
The genre of biography serves as a bridge between history and literature. It requires the biographer to balance objective research with a compelling narrative voice, often revealing the psychological motivations behind a subject's actions and their lasting legacy in the human record.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A biography is a true story about a person's life.
- It is written by someone other than the subject.
- It provides a detailed look at their achievements and impact.
- The plural is biographies.
Think of a biography as a deep dive into a real person's life. Unlike a quick summary or a resume, it tells the whole story: where they came from, what they struggled with, and how they changed the world.
When you read a biography, you aren't just getting facts. You are getting a narrative that connects the dots between a person's childhood, their big decisions, and their final legacy. It is like being a fly on the wall for the most important moments of a famous person's journey.
The word biography comes from two ancient Greek words: bios, which means 'life', and graphein, which means 'to write'. So, quite literally, it is 'life-writing'.
Humans have been writing about each other for thousands of years, but the term became popular in English during the 17th century. It evolved from ancient records of kings and saints into the modern, critical, and often psychological style of writing we enjoy today.
You will often see biography used in academic or literary contexts. People talk about writing a biography or reading a biography to learn about historical figures.
In casual conversation, we might shorten it to bio. For example, 'Check out the bio on the back of the book cover.' Remember that while a biography is about someone else, an autobiography is a story written by the person about their own life.
While biography itself isn't usually the center of an idiom, it relates to concepts like 'a life story' or 'the stuff of legends'. We often say someone is 'the subject of a biography'.
Another common expression is 'warts and all', which refers to a biography that tells the truth, including the person's mistakes and flaws, rather than just praising them.
The word biography is a countable noun. You can have one biography or many biographies. The plural form changes the 'y' to 'ies'.
Pronunciation is bye-OG-ruh-fee. The stress is on the second syllable. It rhymes with words like geography and photography, which also share the Greek suffix -graphy.
Fun Fact
The term was first used in the 17th century to distinguish it from history.
Pronunciation Guide
Starts with 'bye', then 'OG' like 'dog', then 'ruh-fee'.
Similar to UK but with a flatter 'ah' sound in the middle.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'bio' part as 'bee-o'
- Stressing the wrong syllable
- Dropping the 'ph' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Accessible for most learners.
Easy to use in sentences.
Common word.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Articles with nouns
a biography
Pluralization of nouns ending in -y
biography -> biographies
Subject-verb agreement
The biography is interesting.
Examples by Level
This is a biography of a famous singer.
This is a book about a singer's life.
Use 'a' before biography.
I read a biography.
I finished a life story book.
Simple past tense.
She wrote a biography.
She is the author of the life story.
Subject-verb-object.
He likes biographies.
He enjoys reading these books.
Plural form.
It is a good biography.
The book is interesting.
Adjective usage.
The biography is long.
The book has many pages.
Linking verb.
Is this a biography?
Is this book about a life?
Question structure.
I bought a new biography.
I purchased a life story book.
Past tense verb.
I am reading a biography about Albert Einstein.
She wants to write a biography one day.
The biography explains his early life.
He has many biographies on his shelf.
This biography is very educational.
I found a biography in the library.
The biography tells the truth.
Have you read her biography?
The author spent years researching the biography.
This biography offers a unique perspective.
It is a definitive biography of the president.
She is writing a biography of a local hero.
The biography covers his entire career.
I prefer biographies to fiction books.
The biography was a bestseller last year.
Reading a biography helps you understand history.
The biography provides a critical analysis of his work.
It is a fascinating biography of a complex figure.
He published an unauthorized biography last month.
The biography sheds light on his private life.
Her biography is a masterpiece of historical research.
Many scholars praised the new biography.
The biography captures the spirit of the era.
She is the subject of a new biography.
The biography meticulously reconstructs the subject's early years.
It is a scholarly biography that challenges common myths.
The author's approach to the biography is quite innovative.
This biography explores the nuances of his political career.
The biography serves as a primary source for historians.
It is a comprehensive biography of the artist's life.
The biography delves into the subject's psychological state.
He received an award for his latest biography.
The biography is a profound meditation on the nature of fame.
It stands as the definitive biography, unlikely to be surpassed.
The biographer masterfully weaves personal letters into the narrative.
This biography interrogates the cultural impact of its subject.
It is a seminal biography in the field of modern history.
The biography provides an exhaustive look at the period.
Her biography is noted for its objective and balanced tone.
The biography remains a cornerstone of the library's collection.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"warts and all"
Showing the truth including flaws
The biography described his life, warts and all.
casual"the stuff of legends"
Something so impressive it is like a myth
His life story is the stuff of legends.
casual"a life in the day of"
A typical day or summary of a life
The book is a life in the day of a king.
neutral"an open book"
Someone who is easy to understand
Her biography shows she was an open book.
casual"read like a novel"
Very exciting and easy to read
His biography reads like a novel.
neutral"behind the scenes"
The hidden parts of a life
The biography goes behind the scenes of his career.
neutralEasily Confused
Both are life stories.
Autobiography is by the subject; biography is by someone else.
He wrote his autobiography; she wrote his biography.
Both are non-fiction life stories.
Memoir focuses on a specific period or theme.
His memoir covers his war years; his biography covers his whole life.
Both are about a person.
Profile is short; biography is long.
The magazine published a profile; the library holds the biography.
Both are factual.
History is about events; biography is about a person.
He studies history; she studies biography.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + wrote + a + biography + of + someone
She wrote a biography of the queen.
Subject + is + the + subject + of + a + biography
He is the subject of a biography.
I + am + reading + a + biography + about + someone
I am reading a biography about Einstein.
The + biography + explores + the + life + of + someone
The biography explores the life of the artist.
It + is + a + definitive + biography
It is a definitive biography.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
You write an autobiography, not a biography, about yourself.
The word biography already implies it is a book/story.
It is redundant; a biography is by definition about a life.
Biographies is plural; use biography for one.
Bio is slang; use biography in formal writing.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a book with a person's face on it, and a pen writing their life story.
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it when recommending books about famous people.
Cultural Insight
Biographies are often used to teach history in schools.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: Biography (about someone else), Autobiography (about yourself).
Say It Right
Focus on the 'OG' sound in the middle.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'biography about my life'. Use 'autobiography'.
Did You Know?
The word comes from Greek 'bios' (life) and 'graphy' (writing).
Study Smart
Read a short biography of someone you admire to learn the word in context.
Writing Tip
When writing a biography, include dates and key events.
Reading Tip
Look for the author's 'preface' to understand why they wrote the biography.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
BIO (Biology/Life) + GRAPHY (Writing) = Writing about a life.
Visual Association
A pen writing on a scroll that has a person's face on it.
Word Web
Challenge
Write a one-sentence biography of your best friend.
Word Origin
Greek
Original meaning: Life writing
Cultural Context
Be careful with unauthorized biographies as they may be controversial.
Biographies are a staple of English literature and bookstores.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- We are studying a biography.
- Who is the subject of your biography?
At a bookstore
- Where is the biography section?
- Is this a new biography?
In a conversation
- Have you read any good biographies lately?
- That sounds like a biography.
In an interview
- Your life story is like a biography.
- Who should write your biography?
Conversation Starters
"If someone wrote a biography about you, what would the title be?"
"Which famous person would you like to read a biography about?"
"Do you prefer reading biographies or fiction?"
"Why do you think people enjoy reading biographies?"
"If you could have a biography written about you, who would you want to write it?"
Journal Prompts
Write a short biography of your favorite historical figure.
Describe why you would or would not want an autobiography written about you.
If you were a biographer, whose life would you choose to document?
Compare and contrast a biography you have read with a movie about the same person.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt aims to be, but it is written from the author's perspective.
Technically yes, but it is rare and usually for fun.
A biography is usually a full book, while a profile is a short article.
One written with the subject's permission and cooperation.
One written without the subject's permission.
No, but it helps to have an interesting life story.
No, use the full word 'biography' in formal writing.
No, they are non-fiction.
Test Yourself
A ___ is a book about a person's life.
A biography is a life story.
Who writes a biography?
A biography is written by someone other than the subject.
An autobiography is the same as a biography.
Autobiographies are written by the subject, biographies are not.
Word
Meaning
These are the Greek roots.
I read the biography.
She wrote an ___ biography of the actor.
Unauthorized is a common collocation.
Biographies are always objective.
Biographies often reflect the author's bias.
What is a biographer?
The suffix -er denotes a person who performs the action.
The book is a ___ biography of the artist.
Definitive is used for the best/most complete work.
He is the subject of a biography.
Score: /10
Summary
A biography is a detailed, true account of a person's life written by another individual.
- A biography is a true story about a person's life.
- It is written by someone other than the subject.
- It provides a detailed look at their achievements and impact.
- The plural is biographies.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a book with a person's face on it, and a pen writing their life story.
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it when recommending books about famous people.
Cultural Insight
Biographies are often used to teach history in schools.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: Biography (about someone else), Autobiography (about yourself).
Example
I just finished reading a fascinating biography of Steve Jobs that detailed his early struggles.
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