memoir

memoir — noun

1. a book or written work that describes events, places, or people the author has p

1.名詞B2
釋義

a book or written work that describes events, places, or people the author has personally known or observed, often involving well-known subjects

例句

Amira's memoir of the Rwandan genocide describes the courage of the families she sheltered.

memoir + of + [event] — specifying the historical subject

The publisher accepted the diplomat's memoir because it revealed fresh details about the peace talks.

同義詞
  • chronicle

    a factual record of events in order of time, often less personal than a memoir

  • reminiscence

    emphasises the act of remembering past events; often more informal and fragmentary than a memoir

  • testimony

    a formal statement about events witnessed, often used in legal or historical contexts

文法句型

memoir + of + noun phrase

possessive + memoir

memoir + about + noun phrase

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2 (OWN LIFE STORY): in this sense, the writer focuses on external subjects — events witnessed, places visited, or other people known — rather than on their own life story.

常見錯誤

❌She wrote a memoir of her entire life from birth to old age.
✅She wrote an autobiography covering her entire life.
💡A full life story from birth is typically called an autobiography; a memoir often focuses on specific events or periods the writer has experienced.

2. a book in which someone writes about their own life and personal experiences, es

2.名詞B2
釋義

a book in which someone writes about their own life and personal experiences, especially a well-known person who focuses on particular periods or themes rather than the whole life span

例句

In her memoir, pop singer Madison writes openly about her difficult childhood in Texas.

possessive + memoir + adverb (openly) — showing tone

Rodrigo's memoir focuses on his twenty years as a human rights lawyer in Brazil.

memoir + focuses on + [theme] — narrowing the scope

同義詞
  • autobiography

    a full account of a person's life written by that person; broader in scope than a memoir

  • life story

    an informal term for the story of someone's life, without the literary implication of 'memoir'

  • confession

    a personal account that emphasises revealing private or shameful details

文法句型

possessive + memoir

memoir + about + noun phrase

write/publish a memoir

用法筆記

Unlike a full autobiography, a memoir in this sense often focuses on specific periods, relationships, or events rather than covering the author's entire life. The subject is typically the writer's own personal experiences.

常見錯誤

❌I read his memoir, which was written by a famous journalist about the president.
✅I read his account of the president, which he wrote based on personal interviews.
💡If the writer is not the subject of the book, sense 1 (FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT) is more appropriate.