reporter
B2Formal / Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A person whose job is to collect and write about news for newspapers, magazines, television, or radio.
A person who gives a spoken or written account of an event, situation, or investigation; also, in technical contexts, a device or software that generates reports.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a professional role in journalism. Can also refer to any person providing an account (e.g., 'court reporter') or, in business/IT, to a system that generates data summaries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The core meaning is identical. In the UK, the term 'news reporter' is slightly more common for specificity. In US corporate contexts, 'reporter' can more frequently refer to business intelligence software.
Connotations
Generally neutral in both. Can imply a degree of objectivity, though in political discourse may be viewed sceptically ('mainstream media reporter').
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reporter for [publication]reporter on [beat/topic]reporter at [location/event]reporter covering [story]reporter from [news outlet]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the record (for a reporter)”
- “reporter's notebook”
- “reporter's privilege”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to software generating financial or operational reports (e.g., 'The system includes a data reporter').
Academic
Used in media studies or law (e.g., 'The role of the court reporter').
Everyday
Almost exclusively refers to a news journalist.
Technical
In IT, a module or tool that outputs formatted data summaries.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She was reporting from the scene.
- He reporters for a major broadcaster.
American English
- She reported on the election.
- He reporters for a major network.
adverb
British English
- He acted reporter-like in his questioning.
- She spoke reporterly.
American English
- He acted like a reporter in his questioning.
- She spoke in a reporterly fashion.
adjective
British English
- The reporter skills were evident.
- A reporter colleague joined her.
American English
- The reporter's skills were evident.
- A fellow reporter joined her.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The reporter wrote a story.
- She is a reporter on TV.
- A local reporter asked the mayor about the new plan.
- The newspaper sent a reporter to the accident.
- The investigative reporter uncovered evidence of corruption.
- As a foreign reporter, she often works in difficult conditions.
- The court reporter's transcript proved crucial to the appeal.
- Despite pressure from officials, the reporter refused to reveal her sources.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A REPORTER REPORTS events to the public - both words start with REP.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A COMMODITY / MESSENGER (the reporter delivers the 'goods' of information).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'репортёр' (устаревшее/жаргон) - правильный перевод 'репортёр' или 'корреспондент'.
- В IT-контексте 'reporter' - это 'генератор отчётов' или 'отчётный модуль', а не человек.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'reporter' for a person who simply tells a story informally (better: 'narrator', 'storyteller').
- Spelling: 'reportor' (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'reporter' LEAST likely to refer to a person?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. 'Reporter' often emphasises gathering and presenting news stories, while 'journalist' is a broader term that can include editors, columnists, and photographers.
Rarely in modern English. The verb 'to report' is standard. 'Reporter' as a verb is considered non-standard or jargonistic.
A correspondent is often a reporter specialising in a particular type of news (e.g., foreign correspondent, business correspondent) or based in a distant location.
It is neutral. It is appropriate in both formal contexts (e.g., legal documents: 'court reporter') and everyday conversation.
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