newsman
C1Formal/Professional
Definition
Meaning
A man whose job is to gather and report news for a newspaper, news agency, or broadcasting company.
A male journalist, especially one who works in broadcasting as a newsreader, reporter, or presenter.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is gendered. The gender-neutral alternatives 'journalist', 'reporter', or 'news presenter' are now more common in professional and inclusive contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used and understood in both varieties. British English may use 'newsreader' for a broadcast presenter more specifically. American English might use 'anchor' or 'anchorperson' more frequently.
Connotations
Can sound slightly dated or formal, particularly in US English, where 'anchor', 'reporter', or 'journalist' is preferred.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both, with declining use due to gender-neutral language trends.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[newsman] + [verb: reported/announced/covered] + [event]The + [adjective] + [newsman] + [clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An old newsman never dies, he just loses his scoop. (play on a common idiom)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in media industry reports or profiles: 'The veteran newsman signed a new contract.'
Academic
Rare; used in media studies or historical context discussing gender in professions.
Everyday
Uncommon; more likely used by older speakers or in nostalgic contexts.
Technical
Not a technical term; used in general media or production discussions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He had a newsman's instinct for a story.
- She admired his newsman-like persistence.
American English
- He brought a newsman's rigor to the investigation.
- The interview was conducted with newsman-like efficiency.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The newsman is on TV.
- That man is a newsman.
- The local newsman reported on the fire.
- A famous newsman visited our school.
- The veteran newsman covered conflicts in three different decades.
- She aspired to be a newsman, but the industry was changing.
- Despite his fame, the seasoned newsman remained committed to factual, unbiased reporting.
- The retirement of the network's chief newsman marked the end of an era in broadcast journalism.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A man who brings you the NEWS. The word is a straightforward compound: 'news' + 'man'.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEWSMAN IS A MESSENGER / NEWSMAN IS AN AUTHORITY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'новостичный человек' – it's not idiomatic. The correct translation is 'журналист' (journalist), 'репортёр' (reporter), or 'диктор' (newsreader). The gendered aspect is contained in the '-man' part, which Russian does not grammatically replicate.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'newsman' as a gender-neutral term (incorrect).
- Confusing 'newsman' with 'newspaperman' (which can refer to someone involved in the business side).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'newsman' most likely to be considered inappropriate today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'newsman' specifically refers to a male journalist. Gender-neutral terms like 'journalist', 'reporter', or 'news presenter' are preferred in modern and inclusive usage.
The traditional female equivalent is 'newswoman'. However, like 'newsman', it is now less common, with neutral terms being the standard.
Yes, it can refer to any male journalist who gathers and reports news, whether for print (newspaper), broadcast (TV/radio), or an agency.
Its use is declining primarily due to a societal shift towards gender-inclusive language in professional contexts, favoring terms that do not specify gender unless relevant.