Autograph refers to a person’s signature, especially written as a memento or endorsement. It can also be the act of writing one’s own name. In everyday use, it often appears in contexts like celebrity signings, collectors’ items, or formal documents where a handwritten signature is required. The word emphasizes personal authorship and the unique, stylized form of a name.
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"The author gave her autograph to a fan after the reading."
"The fan asked for his autograph on the program."
"She prized the old photograph because it carried his autograph."
"He framed the autograph he received at the charity event."
Autograph comes from the Greek roots auto- ‘self’ and graphos ‘writing, drawn’ (Greek: αυτόγραφον). The term originally identified a writer who would sign their own name, distinguishing a genuine inscription from copies. In medieval and Renaissance usage, autographs were highly valued as evidence of authorship and ownership. The word entered English via Latinized forms in the late Middle Ages, maintaining the sense of self-written inscription. Over time, autograph broadened to encompass any person’s signature as a personal mark of identity, not just authors. In modern English, the word retains its two-part etymology (auto- + graph-), and the suffix -graph commonly appears in words meaning ‘writing’ or ‘recording’ (telegraph, photograph). First known use attested in the 16th century, with later popularization through the idea of royal or celebrity signatures becoming collectible and symbolic of endorsement or consent.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "autograph" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "autograph" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "autograph"
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Pronounce as /ˈɔː.təˌɡræf/ in US and UK; Australian tends toward /ˈɔː.təˌɡrɑːf/. The word has three syllables with primary stress on the first: AUTO-graph. The middle syllable uses a schwa /ə/, and the final syllable is /ɡræf/ (rhymes with ‘craft’). Keep the /t/ light and the /ɡ/ clearly released before /ræf/. In connected speech, you may hear a lighter /tə/ → /tə/ and a slightly reduced middle vowel.
Common mistakes include: misplacing the stress (say AUTO-graph with the primary stress on the second syllable) and either pronouncing the middle as a full /tə/ syllable or blending /t/ and /ɡ/ without a clear stop. Correct by emphasizing the first syllable with a crisp /ɔː/ and making the middle part a soft /tə/; ensure the final /ɡræf/ has a clear /ɡ/ release and a short, crisp /æ/ before /f/.
US/UK typically show /ˈɔː.təˌɡræf/ with rhoticity influencing the /r/ in American usage when followed by vowels; UK can have slightly less pronounced rhotics in connected speech. Australian tends to maintain /ˈɔː.təˌɡrɑːf/ with a broader /ɑː/ in the final syllable and a more open vowel in /ɒ/ versus /ɑː/. The main differences are vowel quality in the second vowel and the final vowel length, not the overall syllable count.
Autograph demands three quick phonetic decisions: a three-syllable sequence, accurate placement of primary stress on the first syllable, and a crisp release before the /ræf/ ending. The middle syllable uses a neutral schwa that can blur if you speak too quickly, causing /t/ to blend with /ɡ/. Focusing on clear tongue elevation for /ɔː/ and a distinct /ɡ/ before /ræf/ helps maintain accuracy.
A distinctive feature is the cluster transition from /t/ to /ɡ/ between the middle and final syllables. It’s easy to coalesce into /tɡ/ or soft /t/ without a proper pause, which dulls the /ɡræf/ ending. Practice by landing the /t/ release, then pause slightly before the /ɡ/ to ensure both consonants are heard clearly.
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