Biographies are a fascinating literary genre that has been around for centuries. They are a written account of a person’s life, typically written by someone else. Biographies offer a unique perspective into the lives of individuals who have made significant contributions to society or have lived extraordinary lives. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of biographies, their origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
A biography is a written account of a person’s life, typically written by someone else. It is a detailed description of a person’s life, including their achievements, struggles, and personal experiences. Biographies can be written in different formats, including books, essays, or articles.
Origin
The word ‘biography’ comes from the Greek words ‘bios’ meaning life and ‘graphia’ meaning writing. The term was first used in the 17th century to describe a written account of someone’s life. Biographies have been around for centuries, with some of the earliest examples dating back to ancient Greece and Rome.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a biography is “the story of a real person’s life written by someone other than that person.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “an account of someone’s life written by someone else.” In both cases, the definition emphasizes the fact that biographies are written by someone other than the subject of the biography.
Associations
Biographies are often associated with historical figures, celebrities, or people who have made significant contributions to society. They are also associated with literature, as biographies are a popular genre of books. Biographies are often used to gain insight into the lives of famous people, as well as to learn about historical events and periods.
Synonyms
Synonyms for biographies include life story, memoir, autobiography, life history, and personal history. These terms all refer to a written account of someone’s life, but some of them are written by the person themselves (autobiography) while others are written by someone else (biography).
Antonyms
Antonyms for biographies include fiction, fantasy, and myth. These terms are used to describe works of literature that are not based on real people or events. Unlike biographies, which are based on real people and events, these works are often fictional.
The same root words
The word ‘biography’ comes from the Greek words ‘bios’ meaning life and ‘graphia’ meaning writing. Other words that have the same root words include biology (the study of life), autobiography (a written account of one’s own life), and bibliography (a list of books or other works on a particular subject).
Example Sentences
- I just finished reading a fascinating biography of Winston Churchill.
- The library has a great collection of biographies on famous musicians.
- Her autobiography provided a unique perspective on her life and career.
- The bibliography at the end of the book listed all the sources the author used.
- The biology class focused on the study of plants and animals.