headline
Headline (noun) means the bold title printed above a newspaper or magazine article, summarizing its content. Example: “The headline announced the merger before readers even reached the first paragraph.”
How to use headline
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe big title above a news story, or (as a verb) to top the bill at an event.
Word forms
headlined past tense, headlines plural, headlines singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ announced the merger before readers even reached the first paragraph.
Etymology
From head plus line, originally the line of text sitting at the "head" of an article.
Related words
Rhymes for headline
See all rhymes for headline →Frequently asked questions
What does “headline” mean?
The word “headline” means the bold title printed above a newspaper or magazine article, summarizing its content. In plain terms, the big title above a news story, or (as a verb) to top the bill at an event.
How do you pronounce “headline”?
“Headline” is pronounced HEHD-lyn (/ˈhɛd.laɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “headline” in a sentence?
Here is “headline” used in a sentence: “The headline announced the merger before readers even reached the first paragraph.”
What part of speech is “headline”?
Depending on how it is used, “headline” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “headline” a common word?
“Headline” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “headline” have?
“Headline” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the bold title printed above a newspaper or magazine article, summarizing its content.
What is the difference between a headline and a title?
A headline is the bold title printed above a newspaper or magazine article, written to summarize the story and draw readers in. "Title" is the broader word, covering the names of books, films, songs, and other works — every headline is a kind of title, but not every title is a headline.
What is the difference between a headline and a heading?
A heading is a general label for any section of a document, report, or web page, while a headline is specifically the bold title above a news article, crafted to summarize and sell the story. Use "heading" for document structure and "headline" for journalism.
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