What does communicator mean?
A communicator is a person who is able to convey information, ideas, or feelings clearly and effectively to others. The noun is formed from the verb communicate, which traces back through Latin commūnicāre ('to share, make common') to commūnis, meaning 'common' — so at its root, to communicate is literally to make something shared between people. In modern usage, a communicator is typically someone admired for their ability to speak or write well: politicians, teachers, broadcasters, and business leaders are all judged by how well they communicate. The word usually appears with evaluative adjectives such as 'effective', 'skilled', or 'gifted', reflecting a positive judgment of someone's expressive abilities rather than simply describing an occupation. Because clear expression is prized in nearly every profession, 'communicator' has become a key term in discussions of leadership, media training, and public life, and its Latin-derived relatives — community, common, and communion — remind us that good communication always builds something held in common.
nounA person who is able to convey information or ideas clearly and effectively to others.
- A person who conveys information, ideas, or feelings effectively to others.
"As a gifted communicator, she could explain complex science to any audience."
"She is a natural communicator who can put any audience at ease."
"In the age of social media, every leader must be a skilled digital communicator."
The plural is regular and commonly used when referring to groups of people noted for their skill in conveying ideas.
"Great communicators know when to listen as well as speak."
US President Ronald Reagan was so famed for his speaking ability that he was nicknamed 'The Great Communicator' — a title that made the ordinary word famous.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of communicator
Communicator derives from the Latin verb commūnicāre, meaning 'to make common, to share', itself built on commūnis, meaning 'shared' or 'common'. English borrowed the word via the agent-noun pattern of Latin, with the -or ending marking one who performs the action of communicating. It shares this deep root with other borrowings from the same Latin source, including community, communion, and common. The word entered English in the early modern period alongside the broader family of communicate derivatives.
Related word forms
How communicator is actually used
The word often appears with positive modifiers such as 'good', 'great', 'effective', or 'skilled', and is especially common in discussions of leadership, politics, public relations, and media. It carries a generally approving connotation, implying clarity and persuasiveness rather than mere talkativeness.
Easily confused with communicator
A communicant is a person who receives Communion in a Christian church service, whereas a communicator is anyone who conveys ideas or information effectively.