by-line: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, journalistic, professional.
Quick answer
What does “by-line” mean?
A line in a newspaper, article, or advertisement naming the author or contributor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A line in a newspaper, article, or advertisement naming the author or contributor.
A secondary pursuit, activity, or source of income, often alongside a main job. In sports (especially football/soccer), the line marking the boundary on the side of the pitch.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK prefers hyphenated 'by-line'. US also uses 'byline' (one word). Sports meaning (touchline) is primarily British.
Connotations
In both, the journalistic meaning carries professional prestige. The 'secondary income' meaning can imply passion or side hustle.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to the additional sports usage. In US, primarily journalistic.
Grammar
How to Use “by-line” in a Sentence
VERB + by-line (e.g., earn, get, secure)by-line + VERB (e.g., appears, reads, states)ADJECTIVE + by-line (e.g., prominent, coveted)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “by-line” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The editor agreed to by-line the feature to the freelance journalist.
American English
- The article was bylined 'Staff Reporter'.
adverb
British English
- The column appeared by-line in the Sunday edition.
American English
- The report was published byline in the online portal.
adjective
British English
- She landed her first by-line piece for a national magazine.
American English
- He is pursuing byline work alongside his day job.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in media/PR contexts regarding article credits.
Academic
Rare. Used in media studies or journalism courses.
Everyday
Uncommon. Mostly understood by readers of newspapers/magazines.
Technical
Core term in journalism and publishing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “by-line”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “by-line”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “by-line”
- Confusing with 'headline' (title) or 'caption' (under a photo). Using 'byline' as a verb incorrectly (e.g., 'They bylined the article').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'By-line' is the traditional, especially British, hyphenated form. 'Byline' is a common, especially American, closed form.
Yes, though it's industry-specific. It means to publish something with a specific author credit (e.g., 'The article was by-lined to the correspondent').
A headline is the title of the article. A by-line is the line naming the author, usually placed below the headline or at the article's end.
Not necessarily. It primarily implies authorship and credit. However, professional by-lines in major publications are typically paid, while a by-line in a small blog might not be.
A line in a newspaper, article, or advertisement naming the author or contributor.
By-line is usually formal, journalistic, professional. in register.
By-line: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪ.laɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪˌlaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To earn one's by-line”
- “A coveted by-line”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LINE BY the article telling you BY whom it was written: the BY-LINE.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORSHIP IS OWNERSHIP (a by-line 'claims' the work).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'by-line' LEAST likely to be used?