columnist
KO-luh-mihst
Columnist (noun) means a writer who regularly contributes a signed opinion or feature piece to a newspaper or magazine. Example: “The columnist's sharp political commentary won her a loyal readership.”
noun
1
A writer who regularly contributes a signed opinion or feature piece to a newspaper or magazine.
"The columnist's sharp political commentary won her a loyal readership."
"He worked as a sports columnist for twenty years before retiring."
How to use columnist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose job is writing a recurring opinion or feature piece, as opposed to a reporter covering breaking news.
Common pairings
newspaper columnist
syndicated columnist
gossip columnist
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Word forms
- Plural
- columnists
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____'s sharp political commentary won her a loyal readership.
Etymology
From column + the agent suffix -ist.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “columnist” mean?
The word “columnist” means a writer who regularly contributes a signed opinion or feature piece to a newspaper or magazine. In plain terms, someone whose job is writing a recurring opinion or feature piece, as opposed to a reporter covering breaking news.
How do you pronounce “columnist”?
“Columnist” is pronounced KO-luh-mihst (/ˈkɑ.ləm.nɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “columnist” in a sentence?
Here is “columnist” used in a sentence: “The columnist's sharp political commentary won her a loyal readership.”
What part of speech is “columnist”?
“Columnist” is a noun.
Is “columnist” a common word?
“Columnist” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a columnist and a reporter?
A columnist regularly contributes a signed opinion or feature piece to a newspaper or magazine, focusing on personal viewpoint or analysis, while a reporter primarily gathers and reports factual news. Columnists are expected to express opinion, whereas reporters generally aim for neutral fact-based coverage.
Is a columnist the same as a blogger?
Not exactly. A columnist writes for an established newspaper or magazine on a regular, often contracted basis, while a blogger typically publishes independently online without the same editorial structure. The two roles can overlap when a columnist's work is also published online.
Does a columnist always write about the same topic?
Not necessarily, but many columnists develop a recognizable focus, such as politics, sports, or culture, since they contribute regularly to a publication under their own name. This regular, signed contribution is what defines the role rather than a fixed topic requirement.
