commentariat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, journalistic, academic (social/political critique). Often used with a critical or ironic edge.
Quick answer
What does “commentariat” mean?
A group of people who comment professionally on current affairs and politics, especially in the media.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of people who comment professionally on current affairs and politics, especially in the media.
The collective body of political commentators, pundits, and opinion writers, often perceived as a distinct and influential class with its own shared biases, talking points, and social circles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word originated in US political discourse but is equally understood and used in UK media contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is typically used critically or ironically to describe the media/political elite. The British usage might more frequently reference the 'Westminster village' or specific newspaper columns.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but likely slightly more common in American political journalism and commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “commentariat” in a Sentence
the + [adjective] + commentariat + verb (e.g., 'The pundit commentariat obsesses over polls.')subject + verb + the commentariat (e.g., 'He frequently attacks the commentariat.')Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Possibly in media analysis contexts.
Academic
Used in media studies, political science, and sociology to critique the role of elite commentators.
Everyday
Very rare. Mostly in discussions about media and politics by engaged individuals.
Technical
A term of art in political journalism and media criticism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “commentariat”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “commentariat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commentariat”
- Confusing it with 'commentary'. 'Commentariat' refers to the people, not the content. Incorrect: 'The newspaper's commentariat was biased.' (Possible but less common). Correct: 'The newspaper's commentary was biased.' or 'The commentariat in that newspaper is biased.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most often used with a critical or ironic nuance, suggesting an out-of-touch, self-referential elite. Neutral usage (simply meaning 'the group of commentators') is possible but less common.
'Pundit' refers to an individual expert commentator. 'Commentariat' is a collective noun referring to the whole class or group of such pundits and commentators as a social entity.
It is typically a singular collective noun (the commentariat). Plural forms ('commentariats') are extremely rare and refer to distinct groups (e.g., 'the British and American commentariats').
It is a modern coinage, appearing in American English in the late 20th century (1980s-1990s), gaining traction in the 2000s with the rise of 24-hour news and political blogging.
A group of people who comment professionally on current affairs and politics, especially in the media.
Commentariat is usually formal, journalistic, academic (social/political critique). often used with a critical or ironic edge. in register.
Commentariat: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒm.ənˈteə.ri.ət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑː.mənˈter.i.ət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Part of] the great and the good of the commentariat.”
- “Echoes within the commentariat.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMMENTator + proletARIAT. It's the 'working class' of people who comment for a living, forming their own influential social class.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE COMMENTARIAT IS AN INSULAR TRIBE / A SELF-PERPETUATING GUILD.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'commentariat' in most usage?