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Definition of ghostwrite

ghostwrite

/ˈɡoʊstˌraɪt/
ghost · write
Adjective:ghostwritten
•
Past Simple:ghostwrote
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Past Participle:ghostwritten
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Present Participle:ghostwriting
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ghostwrite Lexical Profile

ghostwrite Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To write a book, article, speech, or other work on behalf of another person who is officially credited as the author.

Example

"The veteran journalist was hired to ghostwrite the retired senator's memoirs."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for ghostwrite

• Nearby Words

ghosting
ghostlike
ghostly
ghostwrite
ghostwriter
ghostwriting
ghoul

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in American English in the 1920s as a back-formation from "ghostwriter," which itself emerged from late 19th-century publishing slang using "ghost" for an uncredited author working behind the scenes.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ghostwrite. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ghostwrite
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