headline
B1Neutral to Formal (News, Journalism, Business). Also used informally in contexts like 'making headlines'.
Definition
Meaning
A heading at the top of a newspaper article, summarizing its main point.
A brief, prominent summary of news, often used to attract attention. It can also refer to the most important item in a list or the main performer or topic of an event.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily countable in its literal sense ('several headlines'). Can be used as a mass noun in phrases like 'grab the headline'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal in core meaning. US more likely to use 'headline' as a verb meaning 'to be the main performer/feature' (e.g., "She headlines the festival"). This usage is also present in UK but slightly less frequent.
Connotations
Identical in journalistic contexts. The verb use in show business is equally understood but may sound slightly more American to a UK ear.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties due to media prevalence. The verb form is moderately frequent in US entertainment contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[N] The headline was shocking.[V] She headlines the concert tonight.[N of N] the headline of the story[make + N] make the headlinesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make/grab/hit the headlines”
- “the headlines”
- “above the fold (analogous concept for prominent placement)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to key financial news or major company announcements affecting stock prices.
Academic
Rare in pure research. Used in media studies or journalism courses.
Everyday
Common in discussing news stories: 'Did you see the headlines today?'
Technical
In journalism, refers to a specific style of writing (e.g., 'inverted pyramid', 'clickbait headline'). In HTML, refers to <h1>, <h2> tags.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The band will headline Glastonbury next year.
- The scandal headlines every major paper today.
American English
- Beyoncé is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.
- The economic report headlines tonight's news broadcast.
adverb
British English
- The story ran headline across the front page. (Rare/formal)
American English
- N/A (Not standard usage as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The headline inflation figure is lower than expected.
- She was the headline speaker at the conference.
American English
- The headline unemployment rate fell to 4%.
- The headline act was incredible.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I read the headline but not the article.
- The newspaper headline was very big.
- The election result was the main headline on the news.
- Her discovery made headlines around the world.
- The tabloid's sensational headline was deliberately misleading.
- Despite the headline figures, the underlying economic data remains weak.
- The festival was headlined by a legendary rock band, with several other acclaimed acts performing.
- Policymakers often react to headline inflation without considering core inflationary trends.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LINE of text at the HEAD/top of a newspaper page.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEWS IS A COMMODITY (to grab/sell headlines); IMPORTANCE IS BEING AT THE TOP (head of the line).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'заголовок' (which can be any heading) – 'headline' is specifically for news/sensational summaries.
- Avoid translating 'headline news' literally as 'заголовочные новости'. Use 'главные новости'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'headline' for a book chapter title (use 'chapter title' or 'heading').
- Confusing 'headline' with 'headliner' (the main performer).
Practice
Quiz
What does the verb 'to headline' typically mean in American entertainment contexts?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'title' is a general name for a book, film, song, or article. A 'headline' is a specific type of title for a news article, designed to be brief, attention-grabbing, and to summarize the key point.
Yes. As a verb, it means 'to be the main feature or performer' (e.g., 'The actor headlines the new film') or 'to be given prominent coverage as a news story' (e.g., 'The protest headlined the evening news').
It's an idiom meaning to become important or sensational news, to be widely reported in the media.
Yes, frequently. Terms like 'headline earnings', 'headline inflation', or 'headline growth' refer to the main, top-level figures before adjustments or detailed analysis.