op-ed
AH-ped
/ˈɑːp.ed/
An essay expressing a strong personal opinion, traditionally published opposite the editorial page in a newspaper.
Refers specifically to a guest commentary or opinion column written by an outside writer, rather than the newspaper's official editorial board.
The story behind the word. Coined in the 1920s by New York World editor Herbert Bayard Swope, 'op-ed' originally abbreviated 'opposite the editorial page'. Swope needed a place to run articles by external contributors across from the newspaper's official opinions.
Word relationships
- guest column: Focuses on the contributor's guest status, whereas op-ed emphasizes the essay format and location.
- opinion piece: A broader term covering any subjective essay, whereas op-ed historically refers to guest media essays.
- news report: An objective, factual summary of events without personal viewpoint.
Commonly confused with
- editorial: An editorial represents the official stance of the publication's board; an op-ed is written by an individual contributor.
Collocations
- publish an op-ed
- op-ed page
- guest op-ed
- hard-hitting op-ed
Example sentences
- "The former diplomat wrote a compelling op-ed detailing the hidden diplomatic fallout of the modern tariff war." Journalism
- "The New York Times created the modern op-ed page in 1970 to offer voices independent of the newspaper editorial board." Media History
Memory hook
OP-ed = OPposite the EDitorial page, written by an OPtional outside contributor. Opposite the Editorial
When not to use
Do not use to describe standard unbiased news reporting or short factual updates.
Fun facts
- The first modern op-ed page appeared in 1970 at The New York Times under editor Charlotte Curtis.
Related words
Explore more words
editorial, outspoken, byline, broadsheet, vocal, nonpartisan
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