Biographical means relating to someone's life story. A biographical book tells the true events of a real person's life, explaining where they were born, what challenges they faced, what they accomplished, and how they became who they were. When your teacher assigns a biographical essay, you research a real person and write about their actual experiences.

The word comes from biography, which is a written account of someone's life. You might read a biographical article about scientist Marie Curie that describes her childhood in Poland, her groundbreaking research on radioactivity, and her two Nobel Prizes. A biographical movie about Abraham Lincoln would show real events from his life, not made-up adventures.

Biographical writing differs from fiction because it sticks to facts and real events. When you write biographical information on a form, you're providing true details about yourself, such as your name, birthdate, and where you live. Museums often include biographical details on placards next to famous paintings, telling visitors about the artist's life and what influenced their work.