Whether you’re an avid reader, aspiring journalist, or just curious about the world of print media, understanding the language of newspapers is essential. This guide to 25 essential newspaper terms will help you navigate the intricate world of journalism, enhancing your reading experience and giving you a deeper appreciation for the craft. From bylines to mastheads, get ready to decode the jargon and become a newspaper-savvy reader!
Table of Contents
Newspaper Terms
1. Veteran
- Meaning in English: A person with long experience in a particular field, especially a former member of the armed forces.
- Meaning in Hindi: अनुभवी व्यक्ति, अनुभवी सैनिक
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈvɛtərən/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: वेटरन
- Part of Speech: Noun (Countable)
- Collocations: military veteran, seasoned veteran, war veteran
- Common Prepositions: of, in, from
Usage:
- The war veteran shared his experiences with students.
- She is a veteran of the publishing industry.
- Many veterans suffer from PTSD.
- The veteran footballer announced his retirement from the game.
2. Competitive
- Meaning in English: Involving competition; striving to win or outperform others.
- Meaning in Hindi: प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक
- Pronunciation (IPA): /kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: कम्पेटिटिव
- Part of Speech: Adjective
- Collocations: highly competitive, fiercely competitive, competitive market
- Common Prepositions: with, against, in
Usage:
- The company operates in a highly competitive market.
- She is very competitive with her peers.
- They performed well against other competitive teams.
- Success in competitive exams requires hard work.
3. Significant
- Meaning in English: Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention.
- Meaning in Hindi: महत्वपूर्ण
- Pronunciation (IPA): /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: सिग्निफिकेंट
- Part of Speech: Adjective
- Collocations: significant progress, significant impact, significant contribution
- Common Prepositions: to, for, on
Usage:
- The policy change had a significant impact on the economy.
- Her research is significant to the field of medicine.
- There has been significant improvement in his health.
- This event is significant for our understanding of history.
4. Incur
- Meaning in English: To become subject to something unwelcoming or unpleasant due to one’s actions.
- Meaning in Hindi: झेलना, सहना
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪnˈkɜːr/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: इन्कर
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Verb Forms: incur, incurred, incurred, incurring
- Collocations: incur expenses, incur losses, incur penalties
- Common Prepositions: for, through
Usage:
- He incurred heavy fines for breaking traffic rules.
- The company incurred huge losses through poor management.
- If you delay the payment, you will incur penalties.
- She incurred criticism for her controversial remarks.
5. Defame
- Meaning in English: To damage someone’s good reputation.
- Meaning in Hindi: बदनाम करना
- Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈfeɪm/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: डिफेम
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Verb Forms: defame, defamed, defamed, defaming
- Collocations: defame someone’s character, defame publicly, defame through media
- Common Prepositions: by, through
Usage:
- The journalist was sued for attempting to defame the politician through false reports.
- She accused her rivals of trying to defame her reputation.
- It is unethical to defame someone by spreading rumors.
- The movie was criticized for defaming historical figures.
6. Eventually
- Meaning in English: In the end, especially after a long delay or difficulty.
- Meaning in Hindi: अंततः, आखिरकार
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪˈvɛnʧuəli/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: इवेंचुअली
- Part of Speech: Adverb
- Collocations: eventually succeed, eventually lead to, eventually become
- Common Prepositions: after, in
Usage:
- After months of effort, they eventually succeeded in the project.
- The truth will eventually come out.
- She eventually became a well-known artist after years of struggle.
- The negotiations eventually led to an agreement.
7. Hostage
- Meaning in English: A person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a demand.
- Meaning in Hindi: बंधक
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhɒstɪʤ/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: होस्टेज
- Part of Speech: Noun (Countable)
- Collocations: take hostage, hold hostage, release hostage
- Common Prepositions: by, for
Usage:
- The rebels took several citizens hostage during the conflict.
- He was held hostage by the kidnappers for weeks.
- The police negotiated for the release of the hostages.
- The criminals demanded money for the hostage’s release.
8. Prominent
- Meaning in English: Important; famous; standing out.
- Meaning in Hindi: प्रमुख, विख्यात
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈprɒmɪnənt/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: प्रॉमिनेंट
- Part of Speech: Adjective
- Collocations: prominent figure, prominent role, prominent position
- Common Prepositions: in, among, for
Usage:
- He is a prominent figure in the tech industry.
- The issue played a prominent role in the debate.
- The lawyer became prominent for winning high-profile cases.
- Her paintings are prominent among contemporary art collections.
9. Ordeal
- Meaning in English: A painful or difficult experience.
- Meaning in Hindi: कठिन परीक्षा, संकट
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ɔːˈdiːl/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: ऑर्डील
- Part of Speech: Noun (Countable)
- Collocations: go through an ordeal, painful ordeal, survive an ordeal
- Common Prepositions: of, for
Usage:
- The family went through a terrible ordeal during the flood.
- Surviving the car accident was an ordeal for her.
- They described the ordeal of being stranded on the island.
- It took months to recover from the ordeal.
10. Sedatives
- Meaning in English: Drugs or substances that induce calmness or reduce excitement or anxiety.
- Meaning in Hindi: शांति दायक औषधि
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsɛdətɪvz/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: सेडेटिव्स
- Part of Speech: Noun (Countable)
- Collocations: strong sedatives, take sedatives, prescribed sedatives
- Common Prepositions: for, against
Usage:
- The doctor prescribed sedatives for the patient’s anxiety.
- Taking strong sedatives can have side effects.
- She was administered sedatives before the surgery.
- The use of sedatives is common in mental health treatment.
11. Muster
- Meaning in English: To gather or assemble (especially troops); to summon up courage or support.
- Meaning in Hindi: एकत्र करना
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmʌstər/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: मस्टर
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Verb Forms: muster, mustered, mustered, mustering
- Collocations: muster courage, muster strength, muster troops
- Common Prepositions: for, into
Usage:
- He mustered all his courage to face the interview panel.
- The soldiers were mustered for an urgent mission.
- It’s hard to muster enthusiasm in such a situation.
- The general mustered his troops into formation.
12. Confinement
- Meaning in English: The state of being confined or restricted.
- Meaning in Hindi: क़ैद, प्रतिबंध
- Pronunciation (IPA): /kənˈfaɪnmənt/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: कंफाइनमेंट
- Part of Speech: Noun (Uncountable)
- Collocations: solitary confinement, house confinement, period of confinement
- Common Prepositions: to, in
Usage:
- He was kept in solitary confinement for months.
- Confinement to small spaces makes her anxious.
- The patient remained in confinement during recovery.
- The bird broke free from its confinement.
13. Intimidation
- Meaning in English: The act of making someone fearful or timid, often to control or influence them.
- Meaning in Hindi: डराना-धमकाना
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪnˌtɪmɪˈdeɪʃən/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: इंटिमिडेशन
- Part of Speech: Noun (Uncountable)
- Collocations: act of intimidation, fear of intimidation, intimidation tactics
- Common Prepositions: by, through
Usage:
- The workers faced intimidation by their employers.
- The law prohibits any act of intimidation against citizens.
- They tried to gain compliance through intimidation.
- He spoke out without any fear of intimidation.
14. Manifestos
- Meaning in English: Public declarations of intentions, opinions, or policies, especially political ones.
- Meaning in Hindi: घोषणापत्र
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌmænɪˈfɛstoʊz/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: मैनिफेस्टोज़
- Part of Speech: Noun (Countable)
- Collocations: political manifestos, election manifestos, issue a manifesto
- Common Prepositions: on, about, for
Usage:
- The party released its election manifesto on economic reform.
- The manifesto for change was widely supported.
- Many voters rely on manifestos to decide whom to vote for.
- The candidate’s manifesto outlined policies about healthcare and education.
15. Provincial
- Meaning in English: Relating to a province; narrow or limited in perspective.
- Meaning in Hindi: प्रांतीय
- Pronunciation (IPA): /prəˈvɪnʃl/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: प्रोविन्शल
- Part of Speech: Adjective
- Collocations: provincial government, provincial attitude, provincial city
- Common Prepositions: in, of
Usage:
- The provincial government has jurisdiction in rural areas.
- She held a provincial attitude towards cultural differences.
- They explored the charming provincial towns of France.
- The crisis affected several provincial capitals in the country.
16. Sustain
- Meaning in English: To maintain or continue for a long period; to support.
- Meaning in Hindi: बनाए रखना, सहारा देना
- Pronunciation (IPA): /səˈsteɪn/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: सस्टेन
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Verb Forms: sustain, sustained, sustained, sustaining
- Collocations: sustain damage, sustain interest, sustain growth
- Common Prepositions: by, with, for
Usage:
- She sustained injuries in the accident.
- The company managed to sustain growth for several years.
- His energy was sustained by regular meals.
- It’s hard to sustain interest in a monotonous task.
17. Notoriety
- Meaning in English: The state of being famous for something negative or unfavorable.
- Meaning in Hindi: बदनामी
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌnoʊtəˈraɪəti/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: नोटोरायटी
- Part of Speech: Noun (Uncountable)
- Collocations: gain notoriety, achieve notoriety, infamous notoriety
- Common Prepositions: for, as
Usage:
- The criminal gained notoriety for his daring escapes.
- The book achieved notoriety as being too controversial.
- She has a certain notoriety in academic circles for her unconventional theories.
- He exploited his notoriety to attract attention.
18. Extort
- Meaning in English: To obtain something, especially money, by threats or force.
- Meaning in Hindi: जबरन वसूली करना
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪkˈstɔːrt/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: एक्स्टॉर्ट
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Verb Forms: extort, extorted, extorted, extorting
- Collocations: extort money, extort information, extort by threats
- Common Prepositions: from, by
Usage:
- The gang tried to extort money from local businesses.
- He was accused of extorting valuable information by threatening employees.
- The criminal extorted a confession from the victim.
- Extorting funds by blackmail is a serious crime.
19. Onlookers
- Meaning in English: People who watch an event or incident, often as spectators.
- Meaning in Hindi: दर्शक, तमाशबीन
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɒnˌlʊkəz/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: ऑनलुकर्स
- Part of Speech: Noun (Countable)
- Collocations: curious onlookers, shocked onlookers, onlookers gather
- Common Prepositions: at, in
Usage:
- Curious onlookers gathered at the scene of the accident.
- The magician’s tricks amazed the onlookers in the crowd.
- Shocked onlookers could only watch helplessly.
- The fire attracted a large group of onlookers.
20. Bystanders
- Meaning in English: People who are present at an event but not involved.
- Meaning in Hindi: तमाशबीन, राहगीर
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbaɪˌstændərz/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: बाइस्टैंडर्स
- Part of Speech: Noun (Countable)
- Collocations: innocent bystanders, shocked bystanders, bystander effect
- Common Prepositions: at, near
Usage:
- The fight broke out, but the bystanders didn’t intervene.
- An innocent bystander was injured in the shooting.
- Bystanders stood near the burning building in shock.
- The police asked the bystanders at the scene for information.
21. Explicit
- Meaning in English: Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion.
- Meaning in Hindi: स्पष्ट
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: एक्स्प्लिसिट
- Part of Speech: Adjective
- Collocations: explicit instructions, explicit language, explicit statement
- Common Prepositions: about, in
Usage:
- The teacher gave explicit instructions about the assignment.
- There is explicit content in this film, so it’s not suitable for children.
- His explicit statement clarified the misunderstanding.
- They were explicit about the consequences of breaking the rules.
22. Sultry
- Meaning in English: Uncomfortably hot and humid; also used to describe someone as attractive in a passionate way.
- Meaning in Hindi: उमस भरा, मोहक
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsʌltri/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: सल्ट्री
- Part of Speech: Adjective
- Collocations: sultry weather, sultry voice, sultry evening
- Common Prepositions: in, during
Usage:
- The sultry weather in the summer made everyone feel exhausted.
- She spoke in a sultry voice that captivated the audience.
- They enjoyed a romantic walk during the sultry evening.
- The actress is known for her sultry looks and bold roles.
23. Negligence
- Meaning in English: Failure to take proper care in doing something; lack of attention.
- Meaning in Hindi: लापरवाही
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: नेग्लिजेंस
- Part of Speech: Noun (Uncountable)
- Collocations: gross negligence, medical negligence, negligence in duty
- Common Prepositions: in, of, towards
Usage:
- The accident occurred due to negligence in maintaining safety standards.
- He was sued for medical negligence towards the patient’s care.
- Gross negligence of duty led to the dismissal of the employee.
- The company apologized for its negligence in addressing customer complaints.
24. Outrage
- Meaning in English: A strong reaction of anger or shock; also an act of violence or cruelty.
- Meaning in Hindi: आक्रोश, क्रूरता
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈaʊtreɪʤ/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: आउट्रेज
- Part of Speech: Noun (Uncountable/Countable)
- Collocations: public outrage, express outrage, outrage over something
- Common Prepositions: at, over, about
Usage:
- There was public outrage over the government’s decision.
- The community expressed outrage at the senseless act of violence.
- His remarks caused outrage in the media.
- People feel outrage about the lack of accountability in the system.
25. Evoke
- Meaning in English: To bring a memory, feeling, or image to mind; to elicit a response.
- Meaning in Hindi: याद दिलाना, उत्पन्न करना
- Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪˈvoʊk/
- Pronunciation in Hindi: इवोक
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Verb Forms: evoke, evoked, evoked, evoking
- Collocations: evoke memories, evoke emotions, evoke a response
- Common Prepositions: of, in
Usage:
- The smell of flowers evoked memories of her childhood.
- His speech evoked strong emotions in the audience.
- The painting was designed to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
- The movie’s tragic ending evoked tears in many viewers.
Mastering these 25 essential newspaper terms will undoubtedly enrich your understanding and enjoyment of journalism. As you delve into articles and headlines, you’ll appreciate the nuances and effort behind each piece of news. Whether you’re pursuing a career in journalism or simply love reading the daily news, these terms will help you connect more deeply with the stories that shape our world.
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