rowling

rowling — noun

1. the surname of J(oanne) K(athleen) Rowling (born 1965), a British writer best kn

1.nounA2
Definition

the surname of J(oanne) K(athleen) Rowling (born 1965), a British writer best known for creating the Harry Potter fantasy book series, which became one of the best-selling book series in history and was adapted into a highly successful film franchise.

Example

Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book in coffee shops while her baby slept nearby.

The library organised a special event to celebrate Rowling's birthday with young readers.

Common collocations
  • Rowling's novels
  • Rowling's fans
  • Rowling's writing
  • Rowling's series
  • Rowling's characters

Usage Note

Rowling is used as a surname — refer to the person by full name (J.K. Rowling) or by surname alone (Rowling) in formal writing. In casual speech, fans often refer to her as "J.K." or simply "Rowling." Her books are typically referred to as "Rowling's work" or "the Harry Potter series" rather than "Rowling's books."

Common Mistakes

I borrowed Rowling from the library.
I borrowed a book by Rowling from the library.
Rowling is the author's surname, not a title or a book.

Word family

  • Rowling-esque
    adjective

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Rowling, Tolkien, Pullman, and Dahl are all celebrated British fantasy or children's authors, but they differ in scope and style. Rowling is best known for the seven-book Harry Potter series, which follows a young wizard's journey from childhood to adulthood and appeals to both children and adults. Tolkien created the richly mythologised world of Middle-earth (The Lord of the Rings), with invented languages and epic battles between good and evil — denser and more academic in tone. Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy blends fantasy with philosophy and critiques organised religion, aimed at an older young-adult audience. Dahl wrote humorous, often darkly comic children's stories (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda) with playful language and rebellious child protagonists. Rowling's key distinction is the boarding-school setting woven into a modern fantasy world, generating a 'campus fantasy' subgenre that none of the others pioneered. A reader who enjoys the comforting yet adventurous tone of Harry Potter will find Pullman more questioning and Tolkien more historical in feel.

Rowling ↗TolkienPullmanDahl

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • Rowling's Harry Potter series
  • works by Rowling
  • Rowling told interviewers

Prepositions

  • by Rowling
  • of Rowling's

Etymology

Norman FrenchOld EnglishEnglish

The surname Rowling is of English origin, probably a variant of 'Rolling' or 'Rawling,' which itself comes from the medieval personal name 'Rawlin' (a Norman French pet form of 'Ralph'). J.K. Rowling was born Joanne Rowling in 1965 in Yate, Gloucestershire, England. She added 'K.' (for Kathleen, her grandmother's name) at her publisher's request, feeling that a children's book by 'Joanne Rowling' might appeal less to boys.