Ghostwritten: meaning, definitions and examples

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ghostwritten

 

[ ɡoʊstˈrɪtən ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

authorship style

The term 'ghostwritten' refers to a piece of writing that is authored by one person but officially credited to another. This practice is common in various fields, including literature, music, and even business writing. Ghostwriters may be employed to help authors who want to publish a book but lack the time or writing skills. The resulting work is presented as if it were written by the credited author, often leading to a strong public persona or brand that may not reflect the actual writing skills of the credited individual.

Synonyms

co-written, collaborative, unattributed

Examples of usage

  • The bestsellers were all found to be ghostwritten.
  • She hired a ghostwriter to complete her autobiography.
  • Many famous musicians have ghostwritten their lyrics.

Translations

Translations of the word "ghostwritten" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escrito por um ghostwriter

🇮🇳 भूतलेखित

🇩🇪 ghostwritten

🇮🇩 ditulis oleh penulis hantu

🇺🇦 призначений для привидів

🇵🇱 napisany przez ghostwritera

🇯🇵 ゴーストライティングされた

🇫🇷 écrit par un écrivain fantôme

🇪🇸 escrito por un escritor fantasma

🇹🇷 hayalet yazar tarafından yazılmış

🇰🇷 유령 작가에 의해 쓰여진

🇸🇦 مكتوب بواسطة كاتب أشباح

🇨🇿 napsáno ghostwriterem

🇸🇰 napísané ghostwriterom

🇨🇳 代笔的

🇸🇮 napisano z duhom

🇮🇸 sama skrifað af draug

🇰🇿 призракпен жазылған

🇬🇪 გააზრებული ტექსტი

🇦🇿 ghostwriter tərəfindən yazılmış

🇲🇽 escrito por un escritor fantasma

Etymology

The term 'ghostwritten' emerged from the word 'ghost', which has its roots in Old English 'gāst', meaning 'spirit or soul'. In the context of writing, it signifies an invisible author whose contributions are not openly acknowledged. The practice of ghostwriting dates back centuries, with notable examples found in classical literature where known authors likely had assistants. The term solidified in modern usage during the 20th century as publishing increased and the demand for content grew. Ghostwriting offers a practical solution for busy professionals and celebrities, but it raises ethical questions about authorship and authenticity in creative work.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,184, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.