interview
High frequencyFormal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
A formal meeting in which someone is asked questions to assess their suitability, qualifications, or to gather information.
Any structured conversation where questions are asked and answers are given; a journalistic technique for obtaining statements or information; a professional evaluation meeting.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a purposeful, structured exchange with an asymmetrical power dynamic (interviewer/interviewee). It can refer to both the event and the published content resulting from it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Interview' for a job is standard in both. In journalism, a 'press interview' might be more common in UK contexts, while 'media interview' is frequent in US usage.
Connotations
In UK professional contexts, slightly more formal connotations for preliminary job stages; in US, can be used more broadly for any qualifying conversation.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[interview sb. for sth.][interview sb. about sth.][be interviewed by sb.][interview with sb.]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “grilled in an interview”
- “ace the interview”
- “the interview went south”
- “a curtain-raiser interview”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A formal process for selecting candidates or discussing performance.
Academic
A qualitative research method for gathering data from participants.
Everyday
A conversation where someone is asked questions, e.g., by a journalist or for a place at university.
Technical
In HR: a staged assessment tool. In journalism: a method of newsgathering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- She has a graduate scheme interview next Tuesday.
- The Prime Minister gave a tough interview to the BBC.
- The research is based on interviews with local residents.
American English
- He nailed his tech internship interview.
- The celebrity's interview aired on national television.
- We conducted exit interviews with departing employees.
verb
British English
- We need to interview three candidates for the role.
- The detective interviewed the witness at length.
- She was interviewed by a panel of experts.
American English
- The reporter interviewed the mayor about the new policy.
- They're interviewing me for the promotion tomorrow.
- Applicants will be interviewed remotely.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a job interview tomorrow.
- The teacher interviewed the new student.
- She prepared carefully for her university interview.
- The journalist wants to interview the famous actor.
- Despite a flawless CV, he struggled in the competency-based interview.
- The study's findings were corroborated by in-depth interviews with participants.
- The candidate's interview performance belied her impressive qualifications.
- Ethnographic interviews formed the cornerstone of the anthropological research.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
INTER + VIEW: Imagine you are let IN BETWEEN (inter) the VIEW of two people having an important conversation.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTERVIEW IS AN EXAMINATION (grilling, probing, testing) / INTERVIEW IS A PERFORMANCE (stage, audience, script).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'интервью' for all contexts; for a job, use 'собеседование'. 'Интервью' in Russian is primarily for media.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'make an interview' instead of 'give/conduct/do an interview'. Confusing 'interview with' and 'interview of'. Overusing as a verb without an object.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'interview' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An 'interview' is a specific type of meeting with a question-and-answer format, typically with an evaluative purpose. A 'meeting' is a broader term for any gathering.
Yes, it is a denominal verb. As a noun: 'I have an interview.' As a verb: 'They will interview me.'
It ranges from neutral to formal. 'Job interview' is formal. 'I interviewed my grandma for a school project' is more neutral.
Common patterns: interview someone FOR a job, interview someone ABOUT a topic, interview WITH a person/company (as the interviewee).
Collections
Part of a collection
Work and Jobs
A2 · 49 words · Jobs, professions and the world of work.
Media and Communication
B1 · 50 words · Language for discussing media and communication.
Workplace Vocabulary
B1 · 48 words · Professional language for the working environment.