spokesperson

Everyday

A spokesperson is someone whose job is to speak for a group, company, government or organisation, giving its news and answering questions. tree →

In the lessons

News and citizenship: «a police spokesperson said ...», «a government spokesperson» — what they say is the official view of the group, not just their own opinion. Reading the news: knowing who the spokesperson works for helps you think about whose side they are giving. Older words: spokesman, spokeswoman.

Examples

• A police spokesperson said nobody was hurt. tree →
• The school's spokesperson answered questions from parents. tree →
• The team picked her as their spokesperson. tree →
• A spokesperson for the zoo said the panda was healthy. tree →
• The company's spokesperson would not comment. tree →
• Our class spokesperson read our ideas to the head teacher. tree →

Note

Plural: spokespeople (more common) or spokespersons. Gender-neutral form of spokesman/spokeswoman. A spokesperson tells the group's official view, which may favour that group.