Words / B2

SPOHKSM-uh-n/ˈspəʊksmən/

A spokesman is a man who speaks officially for a group; spokesperson is the gender-neutral twin: a trust spokesman. Speaker is wider (already in the dictionary); representative is elected or chosen more broadly. A trust spokesman denied the leak. Mix-up: spokesman vs speaker of the House (a role). Do not assume the speaker’s gender in a source that says spokesperson.

Meaning

A man who speaks officially for a group (spokesperson is the gender-neutral twin).

Examples

• “A trust spokesman denied the leak; name the role, not a rumour account.”
• “A police spokesman confirmed the arrest, which is the official-statement sense.”

Good to know

a spokesman for; spokesperson (neutral); spokeswoman. Wider: speaker. News and press releases. Official voice, not any person talking.

Near in meaning

spokesperson

New