spokesperson
|spokes/per/son|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈspoʊksˌpɜrsən/
🇬🇧
/ˈspəʊksˌpɜːsən/
representative speaker
Etymology
Etymology Information
'spokesperson' originates from the combination of 'spokesman' and 'person', where 'spokesman' meant 'a person who speaks on behalf of others'.
Historical Evolution
'spokesman' changed from the Old English word 'spokesman' and eventually became the modern English word 'spokesperson' to be gender-neutral.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a man who speaks on behalf of others', but over time it evolved into its current gender-neutral meaning of 'a person who speaks on behalf of others'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who speaks on behalf of a group or organization.
The spokesperson for the company announced the new policy.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40