interviewer
interviewer
Pronunciation
Interviewer
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /ˈɪn.tər.ˌvjuː.ər/
Syllable 1: /ɪn/
/ɪ/ as in "sit" (short high front unrounded vowel)
/n/ as in "no" (voiced alveolar nasal)
Syllable 2: /tər/ (or /tə/ in some rapid speech, followed by syllabic /r/)
/t/ as in "top" (voiceless alveolar stop)
/ər/ as in "butter" (schwa + r-colored vowel)
Syllable 3: /vjuː/
/v/ as in "van" (voiced labiodental fricative)
/j/ as in "yes" (voiced palatal approximant)
/uː/ as in "moon" (long high back rounded vowel)
Syllable 4: /ər/
/ə/ as in "about" (schwa, unstressed vowel)
/r/ as in "red" (voiced alveolar approximant)
Word Form Variations
Interviewer" is primarily a noun derived from the verb "interview."
Noun:
Singular: interviewer
Plural: interviewers
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A person who conducts an interview, especially one who questions a candidate for a job or admission, or a journalist who questions a person for a publication or broadcast.
Synonyms: questioner, examiner, interrogator, host (for broadcast), recruiter (in hiring context)
Antonyms: interviewee, candidate, respondent, subject, guest
One who engages in the formal process of eliciting information or assessing suitability through structured questioning.
Synonyms: assessor, evaluator, scrutinizer, debriefer
Antonyms: test subject, interviewee
Examples of Use
Books:
"The seasoned interviewer, known for her sharp questions, began the session with a probing inquiry about the CEO's recent decisions." (From a fictional novel, generic example)
"The research methodology involved training a team of neutral interviewers to ensure unbiased data collection from the participants." (From a research methods textbook, generic example)
Newspapers:
"Our political correspondent, a veteran interviewer, will confront the party leader on the controversial new bill." (From a news report, generic example)
"Tips for job seekers: Remember to also ask your interviewer questions; it shows engagement." (From a careers advice column, generic example)
Online Publications:
"Meet the interviewer who got Taylor Swift to open up about her songwriting process." (From an entertainment news site or fan blog, e.g., Rolling Stone Online)
"The job search platform advises candidates on how to make a strong impression on their potential interviewer." (From a career development website, e.g., Indeed.com)
"Our lead interviewer shares insights from conducting hundreds of oral histories with Holocaust survivors." (From a historical archives or museum website, generic example)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The relentless interviewer cornered the suspect, slowly unraveling his fabricated alibi." (Dialogue or narration from a crime thriller, generic example, e.g., Zodiac)
Television Series: "Welcome back to 'Spotlight,' where our guest interviewer tonight is the legendary news anchor, Diane Sawyer." (From a talk show or news program, generic example)
Music (Song Lyrics): (Less common, but can imply a critical audience) "Every lyric's an interviewer, probing my past." (Original metaphorical lyric)
Video Games: "As the interviewer for the new recruits, you must assess their combat readiness and moral compass." (In-game role or objective from an RPG or simulation game, generic example)
Podcasts: "Joining me today is our executive producer, who often takes on the role of chief interviewer for our most challenging segments." (From a podcast host's introduction, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"My interviewer was really friendly, which helped calm my nerves." (Common personal statement about a job interview)
"The TV interviewer asked some tough but fair questions." (Common casual observation)
"You need to convince the interviewer that you're the best person for the role." (Common advice given to job seekers)
"The police interviewer spent hours going over the witness's statement." (Common news or everyday observation)
"I always try to be respectful to the interviewer, even if the questions are personal." (Common personal principle)
10 Famous Quotes Using Interviewer
"The first thing I say to an interviewer is, 'I'm not a political animal. I'm an artist.'" - Peter Gabriel
"Every interviewer has a different take, a different angle. That's the beauty of it." (Lesser-known, general observation about interviews)
"A good interviewer is someone who listens more than they talk." (Lesser-known, advice on interviewing)
"The challenge for any interviewer is to get past the public persona." (Original quote, about journalistic skill)
"My ideal interviewer is someone who has actually read my book." (Humorous, often heard from authors)
"When you talk to an interviewer, you have to be very careful, because they're looking for headlines." - George Lucas
"I'm not afraid of the interviewer; I'm afraid of what I might say." (Original quote, about self-awareness)
"An honest interviewer seeks truth, not just sensation." (Lesser-known, about journalistic ethics)
"The best way to silence an interviewer is with a thoughtful silence." (Original quote, about communication strategy)
"The interviewer's true skill lies in making the interviewee forget they are being interviewed." (Lesser-known, about building rapport)
Etymology
The word "interviewer" is a straightforward one: it's built directly from the verb "interview" by adding the suffix "-er."
Interview: As we discussed, this comes from Old French "entrevue," meaning "a seeing each other" or "a formal meeting," ultimately from Latin roots "inter-" (between) and "videre" (to see).
-er: This is a common and very old suffix in English that means "a person who does" or "a thing that does." Think of "worker" (a person who works), "baker" (a person who bakes), or "driver" (a person who drives).
So, when you combine "interview" and "-er," you get "interviewer," which literally means "a person who interviews."
The first known use of "interviewer" in English appeared relatively recently, in the mid-19th century (specifically, around 1851). This timing makes sense because it was around this period that the modern practice of formal questioning for publications (journalistic interviews) and later for employment (job interviews) became common. Before that, while "interview" (the meeting) existed, the specific role of the "interviewer" as a distinct profession or function wasn't as prevalent, hence the later coining of the term. Its first meaning was precisely "one who conducts an interview."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Interviewer
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "interviewer," supplemented as needed:
The interviewer's chair: The position of the person conducting an interview, implying authority.
A tough interviewer: Someone who asks challenging or difficult questions.
The kind interviewer: Someone who is gentle or empathetic during questioning.
To impress the interviewer: To make a good impression on the person conducting the interview.
The lead interviewer: The primary person conducting an interview, especially in a panel setting.
The unseen interviewer: Referring to the audience's perception of the person asking questions in a broadcast. (Original phrase)
To be in the hot seat: To be in a position of intense scrutiny, similar to being grilled by an interviewer. (Idiom, synonymous effect)
The inquisitor: A person who questions intensely and aggressively. (Synonym for a tough interviewer)
The gatekeeper: A person who controls access to something, often used for interviewers in hiring. (Metaphorical, synonymous role)
A master of inquiry: Someone highly skilled at asking questions and eliciting information. (Original phrase, emphasizing interviewer skill)
The question-master: A person who presides over a question-and-answer session. (Lesser-known, descriptive)
The one holding the mic: The person in control of the conversation in a journalistic or public setting. (Metaphorical, implies the interviewer's role)
To probe for answers: To ask searching questions to get detailed information. (Action an interviewer performs)
A sharp mind: Describing an interviewer who is quick-witted and perceptive. (Original descriptive phrase)
Behind the desk: The position of power or authority in an interview setting. (Implies the interviewer's role)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of interviewer from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
