semi-autobiographical
adjective
semi-au·to·bio·graph·i·cal
ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˌbī-ə-ˈgra-fi-kəl 
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
TV GuideThe 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
Simon BerryPedro 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
Norman WilnerIn this semiautobiographical take on her own life, [Pamela] Adlon plays "Sam," a working actress and single parent in Los Angeles.—Kit Steinkellner
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 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
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
Ryan Lambie Examples of semi-autobiographical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Steven Spielberg’s 2022 semi-autobiographical film, Lynch appears toward the end of the movie as another legendary filmmaker, John Ford, who is visited by an aspiring young filmmaker.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
As a reminder, the semi-autobiographical sitcom was inspired by Chris Rock’s life and also starred Tichina Arnold and Terry Crews.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
John Herbert, a Canadian playwright, had made a semi-autobiographical work about his gayness and his experience in prison—two confinements.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2024
The Vince Staples Show (Netflix) The good news: Netflix has renewed this semi-autobiographical comedy from one of our most consistently fascinating rappers, which plunges down the rabbit hole into an uncanny version of Vince Staples’ Long Beach, Calif. hometown, for a second season.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024
The hit holiday film is based on Shepherd's semi-autobiographical collection of short stories, In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, published in 1966.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Previous recipients of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award include Dr. Dre himself, Lil Wayne, Missy Elliott, Sylvia Rhone, and JAY-Z.
Keys is a 16x Grammy winner, best-selling author, mother, entrepreneur, and became a Broadway producer with her semi-autobiographical play, Hell’s Kitchen.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 19 Dec. 2024
These semi-autobiographical works offer a glimpse into Smith’s experience navigating identity, dating in Los Angeles as a bisexual man, hair loss and the discreet use of hair powders and man units, which the 20-something chronicles on his Instagram and TikTok accounts as well.
—Martine Thompson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Related Articles The film is based on William S. Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novella of the same name.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024
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Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
As a reminder, the semi-autobiographical sitcom was inspired by Chris Rock’s life and also starred Tichina Arnold and Terry Crews.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
John Herbert, a Canadian playwright, had made a semi-autobiographical work about his gayness and his experience in prison—two confinements.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2024
The Vince Staples Show (Netflix) The good news: Netflix has renewed this semi-autobiographical comedy from one of our most consistently fascinating rappers, which plunges down the rabbit hole into an uncanny version of Vince Staples’ Long Beach, Calif. hometown, for a second season.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024
The hit holiday film is based on Shepherd's semi-autobiographical collection of short stories, In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, published in 1966.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Previous recipients of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award include Dr. Dre himself, Lil Wayne, Missy Elliott, Sylvia Rhone, and JAY-Z.
Keys is a 16x Grammy winner, best-selling author, mother, entrepreneur, and became a Broadway producer with her semi-autobiographical play, Hell’s Kitchen.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 19 Dec. 2024
These semi-autobiographical works offer a glimpse into Smith’s experience navigating identity, dating in Los Angeles as a bisexual man, hair loss and the discreet use of hair powders and man units, which the 20-something chronicles on his Instagram and TikTok accounts as well.
—Martine Thompson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Related Articles The film is based on William S. Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novella of the same name.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024
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 19 Jan. 2025.
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