What does editorialist mean?
An editorialist is a journalist whose principal work is writing editorials — opinion pieces that articulate a publication's stance on current affairs or that offer the writer's own considered argument. The role sits at the heart of opinion journalism: where reporters aim for neutrality, the editorialist is expected to take positions, build cases, and persuade readers. The term is most common in North American English; British outlets traditionally use "leader writer" for the same function, though "editorialist" is understood internationally. A distinguished editorialist may become closely identified with a publication's voice, and many syndicated editorialists reach national audiences through syndication. Because the word implies sustained, professional opinion writing rather than one-off commentary, it carries a formal, respected connotation — calling someone an editorialist signals experience, authority, and a regular platform in print journalism.
nounA writer of editorials, especially a journalist who regularly writes opinion pieces expressing the views of a newspaper, magazine, or other publication. The term can also refer to a commentator who expresses opinions in print more broadly.
- A journalist who writes editorials or opinion columns for a publication, especially one who regularly expresses a publication's official stance.
"The newspaper's chief editorialist defended the policy in a sharply argued column on Monday."
"As the paper's senior editorialist, she had written more than two thousand signed columns over her career."
"The retired editorialist now contributes a weekly opinion piece to three regional dailies."
Regular plural; used when referring to multiple writers of editorials, often collectively as a profession or group.
"Editorialists across the country weighed in on the Supreme Court's ruling within hours."
"Editorialist" is essentially American English's answer to Britain's "leader writer" — same job, different name for the person paid to have the paper's opinion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of editorialist
An "editorialist" is simply an "editorial" plus the agentive suffix "-ist," denoting a person who performs or specializes in something. "Editorial" itself derives from "editor," which entered English in the early seventeenth century from Latin "editor" meaning "one who puts forth," from "edere," "to give out or publish" (from "e-", "out," plus "dare," "to give"). The compound formed as opinion journalism matured in the nineteenth-century newspaper press, when publications began running signed and unsigned opinion pieces regularly.
Related word forms
How editorialist is actually used
The word is used chiefly in American and Canadian journalism; British publications more commonly say "leader writer" for the equivalent role. It carries a professional, somewhat formal register and typically implies regular, bylined opinion writing rather than occasional commentary. Unlike "pundit" or "commentator," which can describe broadcast voices, "editorialist" specifically connotes print opinion writing.
Easily confused with editorialist
An 'editorial' is the opinion piece itself, while an 'editorialist' is the person who writes it.
An 'editor' oversees and shapes published content generally, whereas an 'editorialist' specifically writes opinion editorials.