reporter
reporter
Pronunciation
/rɪˈpɔːrtər/.
First Syllable: /rɪ/
/r/: Voiced alveolar approximant
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
Second Syllable: /ˈpɔːr/
/p/: Voiceless bilabial plosive
/ɔː/: Open-mid back rounded vowel (as in "thought" or "north")
/r/: Voiced alveolar approximant
Third Syllable: /tər/
/t/: Voiceless alveolar plosive
/ər/: R-colored schwa (a vocalic /r/ sound, as in the "er" in "butter")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: reporter (e.g., "The reporter filed her story.")
Plural Noun: reporters (e.g., "Several reporters gathered outside the courthouse.")
While "reporter" itself is a noun, it comes from the verb "report," and there are related word forms that share a common root:
Verb: report (e.g., "She will report on the breaking news.")
Present Participle/Gerund: reporting (e.g., "The reporting of the event was thorough." or "He is reporting live from the scene.")
Past Tense/Past Participle (of the verb): reported (e.g., "The incident was reported to the authorities.")
Adjective (related): reportorial (e.g., "She has a keen reportorial eye.")
Adverb (related): reportorially (e.g., "He approached the subject reportorially.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1 (Professional Role): An individual whose profession involves gathering information, investigating events, and presenting findings through various media such as news articles, broadcasts, or online platforms, often with the aim of informing the public.
Synonyms: journalist, correspondent, newscaster, annalist, chronicler, scribe (historical/colloquial)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a professional role, but conceptually: uninformed person, public (as the audience of a reporter))
Definition 2 (Document/Record): (Less common in modern usage for "reporter" alone, but a historical or specialized usage derived from "report") A formal document or account that presents information, often officially, about a specific event, meeting, or finding. This usage is more often seen as "report."
Synonyms: report, account, record, communiqué, dispatch
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps: omission, suppression)
Definition 3 (Legal Context - specific): In a legal context, a person appointed to record and transcribe verbatim proceedings, such as in a courtroom or legislative assembly.
Synonyms: stenographer, court reporter, transcriber, recorder
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Related Word Forms (from "Report")
Verb (to report)
Definition 1 (To convey information): To give an account of something, often officially or publicly; to relate or describe an event or situation.
Synonyms: announce, disclose, declare, state, narrate, recount, convey, inform, communicate
Antonyms: conceal, withhold, suppress, hide, keep secret
Definition 2 (To make a complaint/observation): To formally notify someone in authority about an incident, issue, or observation, often concerning misconduct or a problem.
Synonyms: notify, alert, inform on, denounce, complain (about), flag, bring to attention
Antonyms: overlook, disregard, ignore, condone, excuse
Definition 3 (To present oneself/appear): To present oneself at a specific place or time, often for a duty or appointment.
Synonyms: arrive, appear, present, show up (informal), check in
Antonyms: depart, leave, absent oneself, fail to appear
Adjective (reportorial)
Definition: Characteristic of or relating to a reporter, especially in terms of style, impartiality, or investigative approach.
Synonyms: journalistic, objective, investigative, factual, detached, observant
Antonyms: subjective, biased, opinionated, personal, fanciful
Adverb (reportorially)
Definition: In a manner characteristic of a reporter; with an objective, factual, and often investigative approach.
Synonyms: objectively, factually, impartially, journalistically, analytically
Antonyms: subjectively, biasedly, personally, emotionally
Examples of Use
Books:
"The young reporter felt a thrill as she approached the abandoned mansion, a place rumored to hold secrets for decades." (From a mystery novel, generic example)
"In All the President's Men, Bernstein and Woodward exemplify the relentless pursuit of truth that defines a dedicated reporter."
Newspapers:
"A reporter for the Daily Nation was on the scene within minutes of the accident, providing live updates." (Daily Nation)
"The newspaper's editorial board praised the investigative reporting that uncovered the scandal." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"TechCrunch recently had a reporter embedded with a startup for a week to document their product launch." (TechCrunch)
"We received numerous messages from readers reporting issues with the new software update." (Ars Technica)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "In Spotlight, a team of Boston Globe reporters uncovers a massive child abuse cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese." (From the film Spotlight)
Television News: "Our chief political reporter will be providing analysis of the election results live from the campaign headquarters." (Citizen TV)
Podcast: "On this week's episode, we speak with an environmental reporter about the ongoing climate conference." (NPR's Up First podcast, generic example)
Video Game: "The player character, an aspiring reporter, must gather clues and interview witnesses to solve the mystery of the missing artifact." (From a narrative-driven video game, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"Did you hear what that reporter asked the President during the press conference? It was a tough question." (Casual conversation)
"I need to report my stolen phone to the police as soon as possible." (Everyday spoken English)
"The way she handled that interview was very reportorial – just the facts, no personal opinions." (Discussion about a media personality's style)
"The company reported strong earnings for the second quarter, exceeding analyst expectations." (Business news discussion)
10 Quotes Using Reporter
Here are ten famous quotes that strictly use the word "reporter":
"I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"If I had my choice I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast." (William Tecumseh Sherman)
"My only advantage as a reporter is that I am so physically small, so temperamentally unobtrusive, and so neurotically inarticulate that people tend to forget that my presence runs counter to their best interests." (Joan Didion)
"When a reporter sits down at the typewriter, he's nobody's friend." (Theodore White)
"There are three kinds of people who run toward disaster, not away: cops, firemen and reporters." (Rod Dreher)
"A reporter is always concerned with tomorrow." (Edward R. Murrow)
"When it comes to racism, discrimination, corruption, public lies, dictatorships, and human rights, you have to take a stand as a reporter because I think our responsibility as journalist is to confront those who are abusing power." (Jorge Ramos)
"My dad was a high school and college coach, and in my house my dad muted sideline reporters because he wasn't interested in what they had to say." (Samantha Ponder)
"The most important ethical issues and the most difficult ones are the human ones because a reporter has enormous power to hurt people." (Carl Bernstein)
"The reporter is the daily prisoner of clocked facts." (Jim Bishop)
Etymology
Let's break down where the word "reporter" comes from.
Imagine you want to "carry back" or "bring back" information. That's essentially the core idea behind "reporter."
The word "reporter" itself comes from the Old French word "reporteur," which meant "one who reports." This "reporteur" came from the verb "reporter," meaning "to carry back, to tell, to recount."
Now, trace that even further back, and you get to Latin. The Latin word "reportare" means "to bring back" or "to carry back." This Latin word is made up of two parts:
"re-": This is a Latin prefix meaning "back" or "again." You see it in words like "return" (turn back) or "recall" (call back).
"portare": This is a Latin verb meaning "to carry" or "to bear." You see this root in words like "portable" (able to be carried) or "transport" (carry across).
So, "reportare" literally meant "to carry back."
When did "reporter" first appear in English with its modern meaning?
The first known use of "reporter" in English, referring to a person who reports news or events, is generally traced back to the late 17th century, specifically around the 1680s. At that time, it was used to describe someone whose job was to collect and bring back news or information. Before that, the general concept of "reporting" (telling or recounting) existed, but the specific professional title of "reporter" for a news gatherer became more defined as newspapers and other forms of public information dissemination grew.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Reporter
It's challenging to find a robust list of commonly used idioms or highly specific phrases with the word "reporter" itself, as it primarily functions as a straightforward noun describing a profession. However, by considering its core function and common contexts, we can create some illustrative phrases and draw on the related verb "report" for idiomatic expressions.
Here's a list, including some that use "reporter" directly and others that relate to the act of reporting or use a close synonym for similar effect:
Phrases Using "Reporter" Directly:
Bury the reporter: (Original/Less Common) To overwhelm a journalist with too much information or unverified leads, making their job difficult.
The reporter's notebook: Refers to the tools of the trade for a journalist, symbolizing their work.
A reporter's nose for a story: An intuitive ability to identify significant or newsworthy events.
From the reporter's desk: A common phrase in media, indicating the origin of a news story.
The intrepid reporter: A common epithet for a brave or daring journalist.
Idioms/Phrases Using "Report" (the related verb) or Synonyms for similar effect:
Report for duty: To present oneself at a specified place, ready to begin work or an assignment.
Report back: To provide an update or feedback to someone after completing a task or gathering information.
Report sick: To inform one's employer that one is unable to work due to illness.
Report on: To provide an account or detailed information about a particular subject or event.
Breaking news report: A sudden, urgent news item that interrupts regular programming.
Filing a report: The act of formally submitting information or a written account.
To get the scoop (Journalism idiom, often involves a reporter): To be the first to obtain and publish an important piece of news.
To go to press with a story (Journalism idiom, often involves a reporter): To finalize a news story for publication.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of reporter from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
