blog: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “blog” mean?
A regularly updated website or web page, typically run by an individual or small group, written in an informal or conversational style.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A regularly updated website or web page, typically run by an individual or small group, written in an informal or conversational style.
The act of writing content for such a site; the content itself; the online community or culture surrounding such sites.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling and some collocational preferences may vary (e.g., 'on the blog' vs. 'at the blog' are both common).
Connotations
Slightly more established as a mainstream term in the US, though universally understood. In the UK, might retain a slightly more 'tech' connotation in very formal contexts.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both variants.
Grammar
How to Use “blog” in a Sentence
to blog about [TOPIC]to blog [CONTENT] (e.g., blog your experiences)to blog for [AUDIENCE/PUBLICATION]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blog” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He blogs passionately about vintage cars.
- She's been blogging for years.
- I need to blog my holiday adventures.
American English
- She blogs about tech startups in Silicon Valley.
- He blogged the entire conference live.
- Are you still blogging regularly?
adverb
British English
- (Rare; typically hyphenated or part of compound) She's a well-known blogger.
- Not standard as a standalone adverb.
American English
- (Rare; typically hyphenated) It's a blog-focused strategy.
- Not standard as a standalone adverb.
adjective
British English
- The blog community was very supportive.
- We had a lively blog discussion.
- She follows several blog accounts.
American English
- Check out his blog page for more info.
- There's a good blog post about that.
- Blog traffic has increased this month.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A tool for marketing, thought leadership, and customer engagement. 'We use the company blog to share industry insights.'
Academic
A platform for disseminating research ideas informally or for pedagogical purposes (e.g., a course blog).
Everyday
A personal hobby or a way to share life updates, opinions, or expertise on a topic like cooking or travel.
Technical
Refers to a content management system category (e.g., WordPress blog) or a specific data format (blog feed).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blog”
- Using 'blog' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'many blogs' is correct).
- Confusing 'I read it on a blog' with 'I read it in a blog' (both are acceptable, 'on' is more common).
- Overusing as a verb where 'write/post' might be clearer (e.g., 'She blogs about politics' vs. 'She writes blog posts about politics').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standard English but retains an informal connotation. In very formal academic or business writing, alternatives like 'online column', 'web publication', or simply 'website' might be preferred, though 'blog' is widely accepted.
Yes, since the early 2000s. 'To blog' is a standard verb meaning to write or add material to a blog. It can be used transitively ('blog it') or intransitively ('I blog').
A blog is primarily text-based (though it often includes images/video). A vlog (video blog) is primarily video-based, where the content is delivered in video format, often on platforms like YouTube.
A blogger. Other related terms are 'blog author', 'writer', or 'content creator'.
A regularly updated website or web page, typically run by an individual or small group, written in an informal or conversational style.
Blog: in British English it is pronounced /blɒɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /blɑːɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have a blog”
- “to be all over the blogs”
- “blog fodder (something likely to be written about in blogs)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: B-LOG. A LOG of your thoughts, posted on the web (B for web? - it's a stretch, but 'log' is key).
Conceptual Metaphor
A PUBLIC DIARY / A CONVERSATION / A BROADCAST CHANNEL.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is LEAST likely to be used with 'blog'?