panelist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in media, business, and academic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “panelist” mean?
A person who is a member of a panel, especially one participating in a discussion, game, or competition.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is a member of a panel, especially one participating in a discussion, game, or competition.
A member of a selected group of experts or commentators who provide opinions, judgments, or answers, often as part of a formal event, broadcast, or assessment process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'panellist' is standard in British English; 'panelist' is standard in American English. The spelling difference is consistent with the '-l-' doubling pattern in BrE.
Connotations
No difference in connotation.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties within their respective spellings.
Grammar
How to Use “panelist” in a Sentence
panelist on [a/the panel/programme]panelist for [a/the show/event]panelist in [a/the debate/discussion]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “panelist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To panelise (rare; to organise into panels).
American English
- To panelize (rare; to organise into panels).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A person invited to provide expert insight during a conference session or corporate roundtable.
Academic
A scholar participating in a symposium or peer-review committee.
Everyday
A contestant on a quiz show or a guest on a talk show discussion segment.
Technical
A member of a jury or review board in competitions, grants, or standards organisations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “panelist”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “panelist”
- Misspelling (panalist, pannelist).
- Using 'panelist' to refer to the entire panel (e.g., 'The panelist decided...' vs. 'The panel decided...').
- Confusing with 'moderator' or 'host'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A panelist is a participant who contributes content or opinions, while a moderator facilitates the discussion, manages time, and guides the conversation between panelists.
No, it is used for both live and pre-recorded events (e.g., TV shows, podcasts, webinars), and also for non-broadcast groups like review boards or juries.
No, by definition, a panelist is one member of a panel, which implies a group. A single speaker is not a panelist.
It is non-standard in AmE, where 'panelist' is the correct and expected spelling. 'Panellist' is the standard British English spelling.
A person who is a member of a panel, especially one participating in a discussion, game, or competition.
Panelist is usually neutral to formal; common in media, business, and academic contexts. in register.
Panelist: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpænəlɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpænəlɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the panel”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TV PANEL with a LIST of experts – a PANEL+LIST.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/OPINION AS A RESOURCE (panelists provide/share this resource).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'panelist' correctly?