memoir

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A memoir is a written story about someone's life experiences.

You might think of a memoir as a personal history book or a detailed account of a person's life. But it's not always a straightforward tell-all. A memoir can be more like a reflection on a particular time in someone's life, with their memories and feelings woven together to create a story that often includes interesting events, people they met, and lessons learned along the way.

It's worth noting that while memoirs are personal accounts, they're not usually written for the person's own family or close friends. Rather, they're more like stories told from one generation to another, helping readers feel connected to the author's experiences. In some cases, a memoir might focus on a specific period of someone's life, such as their childhood, a significant relationship, or a pivotal event that changed them in some way.

How common is "memoir"?

Word memoir is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

noun

  • An autobiography; a book describing the personal experiences of an author.

    Example: When I retire, I'm going to write my memoirs.

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Real examples of "memoir" in context

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