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Author vs Contributor - What's the difference?

author | contributor |

As nouns the difference between author and contributor

is that author is the originator or creator of a work, especially of a literary composition while contributor is a benefactor; someone who donates to charity or some cause.

As a verb author

is to create a work as its author.

author

English

Alternative forms

* (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • The originator or creator of a work, especially of a literary composition.
  • * (John Milton) (1608-1674)
    • Eternal King; thee, Author of all being.
  • * 1661 , , The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond
    • During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant
  • * (Samuel Johnson) (1709-1784)
    • The chief glory of every people arises from its authors .
  • # (the author) I, me.
  • Someone who writes books for a living.
  • The works of an author or authors.
  • * 1661 , , The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond
    • During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant

    Synonyms

    * (creator of a work) bookwright, creator, artist, subcreator, fabulator, writer

    Derived terms

    * authoress

    Related terms

    * authorization or authorisation * authority * authorship * auteur

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (chiefly, US) To create a work as its .

    • Derived terms

    * authorable

    Statistics

    * ----

    contributor

    English

    Alternative forms

    * contributour (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A benefactor; someone who donates to charity or some cause.
    • I am a longstanding financial contributor to Amnesty International.
  • A person who backs, supports or champions a cause, activity or institution.
    • He was a regular contributor to Greenpeace protests.
  • A person (or thing) instrumental in the creation or growth of something.
    • With her strength and intelligence, she is an important contributor to the indigenous gene pool.
  • A person who produces articles published in a newspaper, magazine, online publication, etc.
    • William Safire has been a notable contributor to the op-ed pages of the ''New York Times'' for many years.