C1 noun Neutral

biography

/baɪˈɒɡrəfi/

A detailed narrative of a person's life written by someone else, focusing on their experiences, achievements, and impact. Unlike a simple profile, it typically offers a critical and comprehensive analysis of the subject's historical and personal context.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I just finished reading a fascinating biography of Steve Jobs that detailed his early struggles.

I have recently completed an interesting life story of Steve Jobs which covered his initial difficulties.

2

The committee requested a comprehensive biography of the candidate to evaluate their lifelong contributions to science.

The board asked for a full account of the person's life to assess their long-term scientific work.

3

Got any good biography recommendations? I'm looking for some real-life inspiration.

Do you have any suggestions for books about people's lives? I want to read something inspiring and true.

Word Family

Noun
biography
Verb
biographize
Adverb
biographically
Adjective
biographical
Related
biographer
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Memory Tip

Think of 'Bio' (life, like Biology) + 'Graphy' (writing, like Geography). It literally means 'Life-Writing'.

Quick Quiz

The historian spent ten years researching his ________ of Winston Churchill to ensure every detail was accurate.

Correct!

The correct answer is: biography

Examples

1

I just finished reading a fascinating biography of Steve Jobs that detailed his early struggles.

everyday

I have recently completed an interesting life story of Steve Jobs which covered his initial difficulties.

2

The committee requested a comprehensive biography of the candidate to evaluate their lifelong contributions to science.

formal

The board asked for a full account of the person's life to assess their long-term scientific work.

3

Got any good biography recommendations? I'm looking for some real-life inspiration.

informal

Do you have any suggestions for books about people's lives? I want to read something inspiring and true.

4

Modern academic biographies often utilize psychological frameworks to interpret the subject's motivations.

academic

Contemporary scholarly life accounts frequently use psychology to explain why the person acted as they did.

5

The CEO's official biography on the website highlights her previous experience in global logistics.

business

The professional summary of the CEO's life on the site emphasizes her background in international shipping.

Word Family

Noun
biography
Verb
biographize
Adverb
biographically
Adjective
biographical
Related
biographer

Common Collocations

authorized biography a life story written with the subject's permission
unauthorized biography a life story written without the subject's permission
definitive biography the most complete and reliable version of a person's life story
write a biography to compose a detailed account of someone else's life
brief biography a short summary of a person's life history

Common Phrases

a warts-and-all biography

a biography that shows both the good and bad aspects of a person

in-depth biography

an extremely detailed account of a person's life

literary biography

a biography of a writer that focuses on their work and creative process

Often Confused With

biography vs autobiography

A biography is written by someone else; an autobiography is written by the subject themselves.

biography vs bibliography

A biography is a life story, whereas a bibliography is a list of books or sources used in scholarly work.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'biography' for non-fiction accounts where the author is different from the subject. In C1 contexts, distinguish between 'authorized' (approved by the subject) and 'unauthorized' (often more critical or controversial).

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'biography' when they are describing their own life story; in that case, the correct term is 'autobiography'. They also occasionally confuse it with 'bibliography' due to the similar suffix.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Bio' (life, like Biology) + 'Graphy' (writing, like Geography). It literally means 'Life-Writing'.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Greek 'bios' (life) and 'graphein' (to write).

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: one biography, two biographies Often followed by the preposition 'of' + person's name Can be used as an attributive noun (e.g., 'biography section')
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Cultural Context

In Western literature, 'unauthorized biographies' of celebrities or politicians are a major market and often spark legal or ethical debates regarding privacy.

Quick Quiz

The historian spent ten years researching his ________ of Winston Churchill to ensure every detail was accurate.

Correct!

The correct answer is: biography

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This adjective describes a state or quality characterized by sharp, distinct differences or a high degree of contrast against a surrounding context. It is primarily used in technical, artistic, or analytical settings to highlight elements that are intentionally divergent or visually striking.

transrogous

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multivity

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The state or quality of possessing multiple dimensions, functions, or activities simultaneously within a single system or entity. It describes a complex nature where various roles or layers coexist and interact rather than existing in isolation.

encitor

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A person or agent that rouses, stimulates, or provokes others into action or a particular emotional state. It is typically used to describe an individual who instigates change or a catalyst that initiates a complex process.

multicarnness

C1

Relating to the state of possessing or manifesting in multiple physical bodies or fleshy forms simultaneously. It is used to describe entities, particularly in speculative fiction or philosophy, that transcend a single biological vessel.

supermentdom

C1

A state or condition of absolute intellectual supremacy or a realm governed by an elite group of superior minds. It refers to the conceptual domain where cognitive power and mental prowess dictate the structure of authority or society.

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