What does ghostwriter mean?
A ghostwriter is a person who writes material for someone else, usually under the other person's name or without receiving prominent credit. The work may include books, articles, speeches, songs, or other creative projects. In some cases the arrangement is openly acknowledged and entirely legitimate; in others it can raise concerns about authorship, originality, or honesty, particularly when a prominent figure is credited for writing that was substantially produced by another person. Ghostwriters may perform many tasks, including researching, outlining, drafting, revising, and polishing the finished work. The word is also used figuratively when a well-known person is thought to have had substantial help from an uncredited writer. Although the term can sound discreet or even secretive, it simply describes a professional writing relationship in which the hired writer creates content for another person's public voice. The related verb, ghostwrite, is commonly used for the activity itself.
nounA person who writes a book, article, speech, or other work for another person, typically under the other person's name or without receiving public credit.
- A person who writes another person's work, often a book, article, or speech, without being named as the author.
"She hired a ghostwriter to help shape the memoir."
"The political memoir was widely reported to have been written with the help of a ghostwriter."
"Many celebrated songwriters have worked as ghostwriters before receiving recognition for their own compositions."
The standard plural is formed by adding -s; the plural form is commonly used when referring to several hired writers or to a profession.
"Several ghostwriters testified about their work with famous authors."
Sometimes the most famous author of a book is not the person who typed it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ghostwriter come from?
The compound ghostwriter developed during the 19th century from the established figurative sense of ghost, meaning a person who writes for another, and writer. The word ghost originally referred to a spirit or apparition and comes from Old English gāst, while writer derives from Old English wrītere, based on wrītan, “to write.” The compound is transparent: it describes a writer who remains in the background while another person receives the public credit.
Related word forms
How ghostwriter is actually used
As a countable noun, ghostwriter is usually neutral when describing a legitimate writing arrangement, though it can carry a negative implication when the authorship of a book, speech, or song has been concealed or disputed. The related verb is normally written ghostwrite.
Easily confused with ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is the person who writes the work, whereas ghostwriting is the practice or process of writing for another person.