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

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

His most recent television appearance was in the Netflix series Boy Swallows Universe, based on the semi-autobiographical Australian novel of the same name by Trent Dalton. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2024

The Vince Staples Show (Netflix) Vince Staples brings his sharp wit and distinct voice to this semi-autobiographical comedy. —Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Dec. 2024

Docter additionally told Time that semi-autobiographical stories require a balance between the personal and the universal. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above