autor

/ah-TOHR/

author

A person proudly holding a thick, closed book next to a fountain pen and a stack of papers on a simple wooden desk.

An autor (author) is someone who writes a book or article.

autor(noun)

mA1

author

of a book or article

writer

a person who writes

Also:

creator

the person who made something

📝 In Action

Gabriel García Márquez es el autor de 'Cien años de soledad'.

Gabriel García Márquez is the author of 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'.

Busqué el nombre del autor de la canción, pero no lo encontré.

I looked for the name of the song's creator, but I couldn't find it.

La autora firmará copias de su nueva novela mañana.

The author (female) will sign copies of her new novel tomorrow.

Word Connections

Synonyms

escritor (writer)
creador (creator)

Common Collocations

autor famoso – famous author
derechos de autor – copyright (author's rights)

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun, Dual Gender Use

Even though 'autor' ends in -or (masculine), it can refer to a person of any gender. However, the specific feminine form 'autora' is widely accepted and commonly used.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'autor' for everything

Mistake: "The word 'autor' is usually reserved for creators of intellectual or artistic works. Do not use it for builders or manufacturers."

Correction: Use 'fabricante' (manufacturer) or 'constructor' (builder) for physical objects, and 'autor' for books, laws, or ideas.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Autora'

When talking about a female author, always feel comfortable using 'la autora'. It is standard Spanish usage.

A figure in a dark cloak sneaking away from a building under the cover of night, carrying a large, bulging sack over their shoulder.

In a legal context, autor can also mean the perpetrator of a crime or act.

autor(noun)

mB2

perpetrator

of a crime or act

instigator

the person who started a negative event

Also:

culprit

the person responsible for the problem

📝 In Action

La policía busca al autor del robo.

The police are looking for the perpetrator of the robbery.

El autor del incendio fue capturado anoche.

The instigator of the fire was captured last night.

Word Connections

Synonyms

culpable (guilty party)
responsable (responsible party)

Antonyms

víctima (victim)

Common Collocations

autor material – the person who physically carried out the act
autor intelectual – the mastermind (person who planned the act)

💡 Grammar Points

Formal Context

This meaning is almost always used in serious or official language, such as legal reports, news articles, or formal investigations.

⭐ Usage Tips

Specific Application

Use 'autor' in this sense only when the action being discussed is serious or illegal (robbery, crime, damage). For small, everyday mistakes, use 'el responsable' or 'el culpable'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: autor

Question 1 of 1

Which Spanish word is used to specifically refer to a woman who wrote a novel?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

autora(female author) - noun

autoría(authorship) - noun

auténtico(authentic) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use 'autor' or 'autora' for a woman?

You should use 'autora.' Although 'autor' is grammatically masculine, Spanish has fully adopted 'autora' as the standard feminine form, matching the article 'la' (la autora).

Does 'autor' only mean 'author' of a book?

No. While its main use is for writers, it can also mean the creator of a piece of music, a painting, a law, or even the person responsible for a crime (perpetrator).