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Glite Dictionary
Joan Didion

Joan Didion

3 6.2
An American writer who wrote essays and novels about culture and personal life
  • proper noun
  • /dɪdiən/
: Joan Didion
  • Many consider Joan Didion one of the most influential American essayists of the 20th century.

Examples

  • Joan Didion's book 'The Year of Magical Thinking' received critical acclaim worldwide.

  • I just finished reading a book by Joan Didion.

  • I recently read a collection of essays by Joan Didion and was captivated by her unique style.

  • Joan Didion is a remarkable writer.

  • Joan Didion's book 'The Year of Magical Thinking' received critical acclaim worldwide.

  • I recently read a collection of essays by Joan Didion and was captivated by her unique style.

  • Many consider Joan Didion one of the most influential American essayists of the 20th century.

Surface Forms

Joan Didion main

Morphology

Joan + Didion

This is a proper name referring to a specific person; the meanings of the constituent tokens 'Joan' and 'Didion' do not compose to yield the biographical sense 'an American writer'. Understanding this MWE requires encyclopedic/world knowledge of the individual rather than knowledge of the parts, so it is not derivable by a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Joan Didion is the name of an American writer who became famous for clear, calm essays about life, culture, and personal loss. Her book 'The Year of Magical Thinking' about grief made readers remember her honest, precise voice, so today Joan Didion refers to that writer and her thoughtful style.