newspaper
A1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A printed publication, usually issued daily or weekly, containing news, articles, advertisements, and other information.
The organization that produces the publication; a single copy of such a publication; the material on which it is printed (rare).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily countable (e.g., 'two newspapers'), but can be uncountable when referring to the substance/medium ('wrapped in newspaper').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight variations in phrasing (e.g., 'in the newspaper' vs. 'in the paper'). The word 'newspaper' is equally common in both dialects.
Connotations
UK usage may sometimes associate more with broadsheets/tabloids; US usage may more often include local/community papers in common reference.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties. The shortened form 'paper' is slightly more frequent in casual speech in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
read + newspaperwork for + newspaperappear in + newspaperbe published in + newspaperVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Stop the presses!”
- “Yesterday's news”
- “Hit the headlines”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the publishing industry or as an advertising medium (e.g., 'newspaper revenues').
Academic
Used in media studies or as a historical primary source.
Everyday
Commonly refers to the physical object bought or read for news.
Technical
Can refer to the specific layout or printing process in journalism.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The scandal was newspapered across the country.
- He was newspapered into infamy.
American English
- The story was newspapered nationwide.
- They newspapered his confession.
adverb
British English
- He read it newspaper-quick.
American English
- She folded it newspaper-neat.
adjective
British English
- She works in the newspaper industry.
- He had newspaper ink on his fingers.
American English
- He has a newspaper column.
- It was a classic newspaper headline.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I read the newspaper every morning.
- My father buys a newspaper.
- The local newspaper reported on the school event.
- She found an interesting article in yesterday's newspaper.
- The newspaper's editorial criticised the government's new policy.
- He was misquoted by several national newspapers.
- The newspaper's circulation has declined sharply with the rise of digital media.
- Her exposé was syndicated by newspapers across the continent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of NEWS (current events) + PAPER (the material it's printed on).
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT TO BE CONSUMED (e.g., 'I devoured the newspaper').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- In Russian, 'газета' (gazeta) is the direct equivalent. No false friends, but note that 'newspaper' is compound, not a single root.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'newspaper' as a verb (non-standard; correct verb is 'to newspaper' is archaic). Confusing 'newspaper' with 'magazine' (frequency/scope).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common collocation with 'newspaper'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily countable (e.g., 'two newspapers'). It becomes uncountable when referring to the physical paper material (e.g., 'The fish was wrapped in newspaper').
A newspaper is typically published daily/weekly, focuses on current news, and is printed on large, cheap paper. A magazine is usually published weekly/monthly, focuses on specific topics or interests, and is printed on glossier, smaller paper.
Historically, yes (meaning 'to write about in a newspaper' or 'to work on a newspaper'), but this usage is now very rare and archaic. It is not used in modern standard English.
'The press' is a broader collective term for news media and journalism, which includes newspapers, but also news agencies, magazines, and sometimes TV/radio news. They are not perfect synonyms.
Collections
Part of a collection
Media and Communication
B1 · 50 words · Language for discussing media and communication.