blogroll: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Technical (Web/Internet)
Quick answer
What does “blogroll” mean?
A list of hyperlinks to other blogs that a blog's author recommends or reads regularly, typically displayed in a sidebar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A list of hyperlinks to other blogs that a blog's author recommends or reads regularly, typically displayed in a sidebar.
A curated directory or list of blogs within a specific niche or community; by extension, can refer to a list of recommended online resources or influencers in a digital space.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The concept is internet-native and standardized.
Connotations
Neutral/technical. Slightly dated, as the practice of maintaining prominent blogrolls was more common in the 2000s and early 2010s.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used primarily by those involved in blogging, web development, or digital content creation.
Grammar
How to Use “blogroll” in a Sentence
[Subject] maintains/updates/has a blogroll.[Blogroll] includes/features [list of blogs].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blogroll” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I need to blogroll that new UK politics site.
- She blogrolled me, which really boosted my traffic.
American English
- I'll blogroll your site if you blogroll mine.
- He blogrolled all the major tech reviewers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in digital marketing or content strategy discussions about networking and cross-promotion between websites.
Academic
Very rare, potentially in media studies or digital humanities papers analysing early web culture.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used almost exclusively by people who write, read, or design blogs.
Technical
The primary context. Standard term in blogging platforms, web design tutorials, and online community discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blogroll”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blogroll”
- Using it to mean a single blog post. (Incorrect: 'I wrote a new blogroll.').
- Misspelling as 'blog role' or 'blog roll' (though the latter as two words is an accepted variant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'blogroll' (closed) and 'blog roll' (open) are used, but the closed compound is more standard in technical writing.
No. A sitemap is a technical file for search engines listing all pages on a site. A blogroll is a curated, visible list of external links to other blogs.
Less frequently than in the past. They have been partly replaced by social media follow buttons, 'blog love' pages, or automated 'related posts' widgets.
Yes, informally. To 'blogroll' someone means to add their blog to your blogroll, implying endorsement.
A list of hyperlinks to other blogs that a blog's author recommends or reads regularly, typically displayed in a sidebar.
Blogroll is usually informal, technical (web/internet) in register.
Blogroll: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblɒɡrəʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblɑːɡroʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **roll** call in school—a list of names. A **blogroll** is a 'roll call' of your favourite blogs.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NETWORK is a MAP (the blogroll charts a landscape of connected sites). A COMMUNITY is a CIRCLE (the blogroll defines one's circle of regular reads).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'blogroll' primarily used for?