bi ‧ og ‧ ra ‧ phy /baɪˈɒɡrəfi $ -ˈɑːɡ-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural biographies )
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Late Greek ; Origin: biographia , from Greek bio- ( ⇨ ↑ bio- ) + -graphia '-graphy' ]
1 . [countable] a book that tells what has happened in someone’s life, written by someone else
biography of
Boswell’s biography of Dr. Johnson
2 . [uncountable] literature that consists of biographies ⇨ autobiography
—biographical /ˌbaɪəˈɡræfək ə l◂, ˌbaɪəˈɡræfɪk ə l◂/ adjective :
biographical information
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THESAURUS
■ types of book
▪ novel noun [countable] a book about imaginary people and events:
The film is based on Nick Hornby’s best-selling novel.
|
a historical novel
▪ fiction noun [uncountable] books that describe imaginary people and events:
She reads a lot of romantic fiction.
▪ literature noun [uncountable] novels and plays that are considered to be important works of art:
I’m studying American literature at university.
▪ non-fiction noun [uncountable] books that describe real people and events:
Men tend to prefer non-fiction.
▪ science fiction noun [uncountable] books about imaginary events in the future or space travel
▪ reference book noun [countable] a book such as a dictionary or encyclopedia, which you look at to find information
▪ textbook noun [countable] a book about a particular subject that you use in a classroom
▪ set book British English , course book British English noun [countable] a book that you have to study as part of your course
▪ guidebook noun [countable] a book telling visitors about a city or country
▪ picture book noun [countable] a book for children with many pictures in it
▪ hardcover/hardback noun [countable] a book that has a hard stiff cover
▪ paperback noun [countable] a book that has a paper cover
▪ biography noun [countable] a book about a real person’s life, written by another person
▪ autobiography noun [countable] a book that someone has written about their own life
▪ recipe book/cookery book British English ( also cookbook American English ) noun [countable] a book that tells you how to cook different meals