cover story: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “cover story” mean?
A false story or identity used to hide the true nature of an activity or mission, especially in espionage or journalism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A false story or identity used to hide the true nature of an activity or mission, especially in espionage or journalism.
A major feature article in a magazine that is prominently displayed on the cover; also, an explanation or pretext meant to conceal the real reason for something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The publishing sense is universal; the espionage sense is more common in American media due to Hollywood/crime genre prevalence.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with spy thrillers in American usage. In British journalism, often used literally for magazine features.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties for the publishing sense. Slightly more frequent in US media/pop culture for the espionage sense.
Grammar
How to Use “cover story” in a Sentence
have a cover story (for sth)use sth as a cover storybe sb's cover storyappear as a cover storyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cover story” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The agent was instructed to cover-story his presence as a journalist.
- They needed to cover-story the operation carefully.
American English
- The operative cover-storied his trip as a business conference.
- He had to cover-story his communications.
adverb
British English
- He travelled cover-story, posing as a photographer.
- She lived cover-story for a decade.
American English
- He worked cover-story out of the consulate.
- She entered the country cover-story.
adjective
British English
- She held a cover-story identity for five years.
- It was a classic cover-story operation.
American English
- He had a cover-story job at the embassy.
- They developed a cover-story scenario.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically for a PR narrative designed to hide corporate issues.
Academic
Used in media studies to analyse magazine content, or in political science/history regarding espionage.
Everyday
Most commonly understood as the main article featured on a magazine cover.
Technical
Standard term in intelligence/counterintelligence and publishing/journalism industries.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cover story”
- Using it to mean 'a story about a cover' (e.g., a book cover). Confusing it with 'cover-up', which is the act of hiding, not the story itself.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is always written as two separate words: 'cover story'.
Yes, in journalism it is neutral/positive, meaning an important, highlighted article. The espionage sense is neutral/deceptive.
A 'cover story' is the specific false narrative or pretext. A 'cover-up' is the broader act or process of concealing the truth, which might involve a cover story.
Yes, e.g., 'He had several different cover stories depending on the country.' or 'The magazine published three strong cover stories last year.'
A false story or identity used to hide the true nature of an activity or mission, especially in espionage or journalism.
Cover story is usually formal/journalistic in register.
Cover story: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌvə ˌstɔːri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌvər ˌstɔri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “blow one's cover”
- “under cover of”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MAGAZINE COVER with a big story title. Now imagine a SPY hiding UNDER that cover. Both are 'cover stories' – one is prominent, the other is hidden.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURFACE IS DECEPTION / PROMINENCE IS IMPORTANCE
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'cover story' LEAST likely be used?