Biography is a term that we come across quite often in our daily lives. It is a genre of literature that tells the life story of an individual. A biography is a comprehensive account of a person’s life, covering everything from their birth to their death, and everything in between. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of biography, its origins, and its associations.
Definitions
A biography is a written account of someone’s life, usually written by someone else. It is a detailed description of a person’s life, including their achievements, failures, and experiences. Biographies can be written about anyone, from historical figures to celebrities.
Origin
The word biography comes from the Greek words “bios,” which means life, and “graphein,” which means to write. The first biographies were written by ancient Greek and Roman historians, who chronicled the lives of famous people. The genre became popular in the 18th century, with the publication of James Boswell’s “The Life of Samuel Johnson.”
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a biography is “an account of someone’s life written by someone else.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “the story of a real person’s life written by someone other than that person.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “a book that tells the story of someone’s life.”
Associations
Biography is often associated with history, as many biographies are written about historical figures. It is also associated with literature, as biographies are a genre of literary writing. Biographies can be used to inspire and educate, as they offer insights into the lives of successful people.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of biography include life story, memoir, autobiography, and chronicle.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of biography, but some opposite concepts include fiction, fantasy, and mythology.
The same root words
The word biography comes from the Greek words “bios” and “graphein.” Other words derived from these roots include biology, which is the study of living organisms, and graphology, which is the study of handwriting.
Example Sentences
- I just finished reading a biography of Albert Einstein.
- The museum has a collection of biographies of famous artists.
- She is writing a biography of her grandfather, who was a war hero.
- The movie is based on the biography of a famous musician.
- The library has a section devoted to biographies of politicians and world leaders.