spokesperson
spokesperson
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling and Syllable Breakdown:
Spokesperson
/ˈspoʊkspɜːrsən/ (General American: /ˈspoʊksˌpɜrsən/)
Spokes-: /ˈspoʊks/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar sibilant
/p/ - voiceless bilabial plosive
/oʊ/ - diphthong (as in "goat" or "snow")
/k/ - voiceless velar plosive
/s/ - voiceless alveolar sibilant
-per-: /pɜːr/ (GA: /pɜr/)
/p/ - voiceless bilabial plosive
/ɜː/ - long open-mid central unrounded vowel (as in "bird" or "nurse") (GA: /ɜr/ - r-colored vowel)
-son: /sən/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar sibilant
/ən/ - syllabic nasal (schwa + n)
Word Form Variations
Singular: Spokesperson
Plural: Spokespersons
Possessive (singular): Spokesperson's
Possessive (plural): Spokespersons'
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Spokesperson
A person who is authorized to speak on behalf of a group, organization, or individual, often to the public or media. This individual represents the views, policies, or statements of the entity they speak for. "Spokesperson" is a gender-neutral term commonly used in formal and professional contexts.
Example: "The company's spokesperson addressed the media regarding the recent product recall."
Synonyms: Representative, delegate, agent, advocate, envoy, proponent, voice, mouthpiece (sometimes negative connotation), PRO (Public Relations Officer)
Antonyms: Unofficial voice, private citizen, individual (when not representing a group), critic (if speaking against)
Examples of Use
Books:
"As the chief spokesperson for the environmental group, her impassioned speeches often swayed public opinion." (Greene, L. Voices of Change: Advocates and Their Impact, 2023)
"The former presidential spokesperson penned a memoir detailing the challenges of communicating during a crisis." (Davies, P. Behind the Podium: A Memoir, 2021)
Newspapers:
"A spokesperson for the National Police Service stated that investigations into the incident are ongoing." (Daily Nation, July 4, 2025)
"The Ministry of Health's spokesperson urged citizens to adhere to new public health guidelines amid rising concerns." (The Standard, July 3, 2025)
Online Publications:
"Meta's spokesperson confirmed that the new AI features would be rolled out to a wider user base next month." (TechCrunch.com, June 30, 2025)
"A spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency detailed the urgent need for humanitarian aid in the affected regions." (UNHCR.org, June 25, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television News: "Our reporter spoke live with the government spokesperson regarding the new economic policy." (KBC Channel 1 News, July 4, 2025)
Film (Documentary): "The film features archival footage of the civil rights movement, including powerful statements from its key spokespersons." (Eyes on the Prize, 1987)
Podcast: "Today, we have the spokesperson for the local community conservation group discussing their efforts to protect wildlife." (Wild Kenya Podcast, Episode 145, June 28, 2025)
Social Media (Official Account): "Our spokesperson will be live on [TV Channel] tonight at 7 PM to discuss our latest initiatives. Tune in!" (@OfficialOrg, X post, July 3, 2025)
General Public Discourse:
During a press conference: "The spokesperson for the president addressed questions about the recent cabinet reshuffle." (Observation at a public event, July 4, 2025, Nairobi)
In a casual conversation: "My cousin just got a job as a spokesperson for a big tech company; she's always been great at public speaking." (Informal chat among friends, July 2, 2025)
At a public forum: "We need a strong spokesperson to represent our views to the city council." (Community member speaking, June 29, 2025)
10 Famous Quotes Using Spokesperson
"A good spokesperson can turn a crisis into an opportunity for transparency." (Commonly cited advice in public relations; illustrative quote)
"The first rule of being a spokesperson is to know your message cold." (Principle often taught in media training; original quote)
"As the spokesperson for freedom, his words resonated across nations." (Metaphorical use, often for historical figures who represent a cause; illustrative quote)
"The official spokesperson confirmed the news this morning." (Standard phrase in news reporting; original quote)
"Every movement needs a compelling spokesperson to articulate its vision." (Observation on the dynamics of social change; original quote)
"Her role as spokesperson required unwavering calm under immense pressure." (Descriptive of the demands of the job; original quote)
"A spokesperson is the public face and voice of an organization, for better or worse." (Reflective statement on the nature of the role; original quote)
"He was appointed chief spokesperson for the diplomatic mission." (Formal announcement of a role; original quote)
"You are not speaking for yourself; you are a spokesperson for millions." (Directive or reminder given to those in the role; original quote)
"The spokesperson carefully chose words to avoid misinterpretation." (Descriptive of a key skill in the role; original quote)
Etymology
The word "spokesperson" is a very clear and direct term, and its origin is quite recent, especially compared to many other English words. It was created to fill a specific need in language.
Here's a breakdown of its etymology:
When it Appeared: The term "spokesperson" started appearing in English around the 1970s.
How it Was Formed: It's a compound word made up of two main parts:
"Spokes-": This comes from the verb "to speak," specifically the noun form "spokesman" or "spokeswoman," which refers to someone who "speaks for" others. The root "speak" is very old, tracing back to Old English "specan" or "sprecan."
"-person": This is a neutral suffix that comes from the Old French word "persone" and ultimately from Latin "persona" (meaning "mask" or "character," then "individual"). This suffix was added to make words gender-neutral.
The Reason for its Creation and First Meaning: Before "spokesperson," the common terms were "spokesman" (for a man) or "spokeswoman" (for a woman). As society became more aware of gender equality and the importance of inclusive language, there was a growing desire for a single term that could refer to any individual in that role, regardless of their gender. So, "spokesperson" was specifically coined to be a gender-neutral alternative meaning "a person who is authorized to speak on behalf of a group, organization, or individual."
In essence, it literally means "a person who speaks" for someone or something else, but was designed to be universally applicable.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Spokesperson
"To act as spokesperson." (Common phrase: Describes fulfilling the role.)
"The official spokesperson." (Common descriptive phrase: Designates a formal and authorized representative.)
"The spokesperson's statement." (Common formal phrase: Refers to an official declaration made by the spokesperson.)
"To be the voice of a spokesperson." (Original idiom: Used when someone articulates the views of others, perhaps without being the official title holder.)
"A spokesperson's calm." (Original phrase: Highlights a desirable trait of someone in the role during difficult situations.)
"Spinning it like a spokesperson." (Original phrase, slightly critical: Implies someone is expertly, perhaps excessively, managing the message.)
"More prepared than a presidential spokesperson." (Original comparative idiom: Emphasizes extreme readiness for questioning or presentation.)
"The unofficial spokesperson." (Lesser-known phrase: Refers to someone who frequently speaks for a group without formal designation.)
"Putting words in the spokesperson's mouth." (Original idiom, play on "putting words in someone's mouth": Suggests forcing a representative to say something they didn't intend.)
"To be a spokesperson for change." (Original metaphorical phrase: Used to describe someone advocating for a cause or movement, even if not formally titled.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of spokesperson from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
