editorial

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌɛdɪˈtɔːɹɪəl/ (UK); /ˌɛdɪˈtɔɹiəl/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from editor and -ial.^[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of or pertaining to an editor: 1741 in Etymonline, 1744 in the OED and MWU.^[2][4][3]

Semantic evolution

Of writing in a newspaper by the editor, as distinct from contributors, it is from 1802.^[4][2] The noun, a newspaper article by or for the editor, is American English from 1830.^[2][4][3] The editorial we, used by a single writer, is from 1841.^[4] Editorially is from 1818.^[4] A broadcast commentary giving the opinion of a station is a later sense.^[5]

Timeline

• 1741 – of an editor.^[2]
• 1802 – of newspaper writing.^[4]
• 1830 – the noun.^[4]
• 1841 – editorial we.^[4]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. An article in a newspaper or magazine giving the opinion of its editors or publishers.
2. A radio or television commentary giving the opinion of the station.

Adjective

1. Of or relating to an editor or editing.
2. Of the content of a publication, as opposed to its advertising or business side.
3. Of or like an editorial, especially in giving an opinion.

Word family

• editorially
• editorialist
• editorialize
• noneditorial
• advertorial
• editorial we

Related words

• editor
• edit
• edition

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin