semi-autobiographical

adjective

semi-au·​to·​bio·​graph·​i·​cal ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˌbī-ə-ˈgra-fi-kəl How to pronounce semi-autobiographical (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
variants or less commonly semiautobiographical
: partly autobiography and partly fiction : being a fictionalized account of the author's life
a semi-autobiographical novel/film
… James Herriott's semiautobiographical story of his return from WWII to family and friends.TV Guide
The play is a convincing picture of a brief but powerful relationship, based on Owen's copious letters and the semi-autobiographical account of Sassoon's George Sherston.Simon Berry
Pedro Almodóvar's most recent drama is one of his most personal: a semi-autobiographical study of an aging, isolated filmmaker who reconnects with an estranged colleague … and starts reassessing his own life.Norman Wilner
In this semiautobiographical take on her own life, [Pamela] Adlon plays "Sam," a working actress and single parent in Los Angeles.Kit Steinkellner
also : of, relating to, or in the style of a semi-autobiographical work
a semi-autobiographical protagonist/character/role
Through semiautobiographical storytelling, Jenna Dawn Maclellan's project will address the challenges of daily life in the North … The Sudbury Star
The acclaimed artist … is known for the semi-autobiographical nature of his work, which riffs on his own youth in the Vancouver suburb of Port Coquitlam. Guy Dixon
Is this all meant to be a semi-autobiographical comment on what fame does to relationships, since [Darren] Aronofsky and [Jennifer] Lawrence are an item in real life? Ryan Lambie

Examples of semi-autobiographical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Watch on Deadline Lagana co-wrote and executive produced Rudy Mancuso’s semi-autobiographical film, Musica, which premiered to critical acclaim on Amazon in April of this year. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024 Lockshin co-wrote the screenplay with Roman Kantor based on Bulgakov’s semi-autobiographical and anti-authoritarian novel, which has sold over 100 million copies internationally and been translated into over 40 languages. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024 Based on Trent Dalton’s semi-autobiographical novel of the same name and set in 1980s Brisbane, Boy Swallows Universe is a reality-bending coming-of-age story, mixed with an addiction/crime drama. Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024 A lot of directors are making semi-autobiographical works lately. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024 Based on the semi-autobiographical 1985 novel of the same name by William S. Burroughs, viewers can expect a mesmerizing postmodern meditation on addiction, desire, and sexuality. Samantha Allen, Them, 29 Oct. 2024 The comedic drama, directed by Judd Apatow and co-written by Pete, is a semi-autobiographical film that draws upon his childhood experiences. Angel Saunders, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024 The exhibition showcases 15 new paintings, which are pivotal to his feature film of the same name, a semi-autobiographical piece that intertwines his artistic processes with his life story. Okla Jones, Essence, 19 Oct. 2024 In Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical drama The Fabelmans (2022), the Canadian actor played Spielberg’s teenage surrogate character, Sammy Fabelman, whose emerging filmmaking prowess intersected with his family’s divorce. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of semi-autobiographical was in 1858

Dictionary Entries Near semi-autobiographical

Cite this Entry

“Semi-autobiographical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semi-autobiographical. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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