English Reference
Adjective

journalistic

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌdʒɝnəˈɫɪstɪk/ UK /dʒˌɜːnəlˈɪstɪk/ jour·nal·is·tic

adj.relating to the work of reporters and news writers. You use this to describe the style or standards of writing found in newspapers and magazines.

adj.relating to or characteristic of journalism or journalists. Often describes a style of writing that prioritises factual reporting, brevity, and objectivity.


SIMPLE

She has a very clear journalistic style.

CONTEXTUAL

The editor praised the reporter's journalistic integrity for refusing to name the confidential source.

COMPLEX

While the novel is a work of fiction, its journalistic prose gives the narrative a sense of immediate, historical urgency that blurs the line between reportage and storytelling.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun, such as 'journalistic standards' or 'journalistic ethics'.

She is rarely pressed on any issue or incident and it feels like a dereliction of journalistic duty.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026

Existing political, journalistic and social media systems rarely provide such opportunities, but a growing number of organizations like the center are learning more about how to provide them.

The Conversation· 1 Sept 2026

From journal + -istic (“adjective”). Also parsed directly as journalist + -ic (“adjective”), also used in sense of related journalism (having to do with journalism).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated