editor in chief
C1Formal, Professional, Journalistic, Academic
Definition
Meaning
The person who has ultimate responsibility for the content and quality of a publication, such as a newspaper, magazine, or academic journal.
The senior executive responsible for the editorial direction, policy, and final approval of all published material. Can also refer to the head of a large editorial project or digital media outlet.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a compound noun, typically hyphenated when used attributively (e.g., editor-in-chief position). It implies the highest level of editorial authority and final decision-making power.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The hyphenated form 'editor-in-chief' is slightly more common in both varieties, but the open form 'editor in chief' is also widely accepted. Spelling of related words differs (e.g., BrE 'centre', AmE 'center').
Connotations
Slightly more prestigious/journalistic in AmE due to the prominence of the role in major news organisations. In BrE, it is equally common in academic and corporate publishing contexts.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Publication] appointed [Person] as its editor in chief.[Person] is the editor in chief of [Publication].The editor in chief made the final decision on [Issue].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The buck stops with the editor in chief.”
- “Wearing the editor-in-chief's hat.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Head of a corporate publishing division or in-house magazine.
Academic
Lead editor of a scholarly journal, responsible for peer review and academic standards.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation; used when discussing media, news, or publishing jobs.
Technical
Standard title in journalism, publishing, and content management systems (CMS) denoting top-tier permissions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She will editor-in-chief the new journal launch.
American English
- He editor-in-chiefs the digital publication.
adverb
British English
- The section was managed editor-in-chiefly.
American English
- He ruled editor-in-chiefly on the matter.
adjective
British English
- She holds the editor-in-chief position at The Economist.
American English
- He made an editor-in-chief decision to run the story.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is the editor in chief. It is an important job.
- The editor in chief makes the final decision about which stories to publish.
- After a decade as a senior reporter, she was promoted to editor in chief of the national newspaper.
- The journal's editor in chief convened a special panel to review the ethical implications of the groundbreaking study before publication.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a military 'Chief' – the highest-ranking officer. The 'Editor in Chief' is the chief of all the editors.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY IS UP (the top editor), ORGANIZATION IS A BODY (the head of the editorial body).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'редактор в шеф'.
- Do not confuse with 'главный редактор' (chief editor) – they are equivalent.
- The role is more about ultimate responsibility than daily proofreading ('редактор-корректор').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'editor-in-chiefs' as plural (correct: 'editors in chief').
- Capitalising unnecessarily unless it's a formal title preceding a name.
- Confusing with 'managing editor', which often handles day-to-day operations.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the primary responsibility of an editor in chief?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The editor in chief has ultimate editorial responsibility and sets the vision. The managing editor typically oversees the daily operations, budgets, and production schedules.
It is commonly hyphenated, especially when used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., editor-in-chief role). When used as a title after a name or alone, the open form 'editor in chief' is also correct.
It is unusual but possible, especially for large publications with distinct editions (e.g., US and Asia) or co-founders of a new media outlet. Typically, the role is singular to denote clear final authority.
The plural is 'editors in chief', as the main noun 'editors' is pluralised, not 'chief'.