Words / B1

KOL-uh-mnist/ˈkɒləmnɪst/

A columnist writes a regular opinion column: a newspaper columnist; a guest columnist. Journalist is wider; correspondent often reports from a beat or place. Column is the piece. Do not call a news reporter a columnist unless they write opinion. UK papers still sell weekend columns as a brand.

Meaning

A journalist who writes a regular opinion column in a newspaper.

Examples

• “The columnist argued that the ban would not cut pollution.”
• “The columnist argued that the ban would not cut emissions.”
• “A guest columnist from the university wrote on exam stress.”

Good to know

a newspaper / opinion columnist. Wider: journalist. The piece: a column. Reporter ≠ automatically columnist.

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