publicist
Americannoun
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a person who publicizes, especially a press agent or public-relations consultant.
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an expert in current public or political affairs.
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an expert in public or international law.
noun
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a person who publicizes something, esp a press or publicity agent
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a journalist
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rare a person learned in public or international law
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of publicist
From German, dating back to 1785–95; see origin at public, -ist
Explanation
A publicist creates a media buzz for movie stars, restaurants, or whoever else needs attention. A publicist for a new restaurant might send out a press release to newspapers and magazines announcing the opening, emphasizing the fabulous. Those whose careers depend on getting attention in the media (on TV and the internet, for example) sometimes pay a publicist to generate coverage in the press. Actors, restaurants, writers, and oil companies are all things or people that commonly use publicists. In the eighteenth century, the word instead meant "person who knows public law" or "writer on current topics."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
When the publicist said our time was up, Hiddleston stepped out of time and took one more question.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
The pair both donned Christian Dior, according to Swift's longtime publicist, and elected to skip bridesmaids and groomsmen.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
Famed American sports broadcaster Erin Andrews was also seen in a silver sparkly gown and Swift's longtime publicist, Tree Paine, wore a light blue dress.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
Weinstein, 74, is “recuperating and resting at Bellevue Hospital,” his publicist Juda Engelmayer confirmed to The Times on Wednesday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
Her publicist and her financial adviser are sitting on towels on the beach at Golden Gardens.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
This is what Walmart, the publicists for the nation’s hottest rising country act, and many politicians have noticed too.
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026
The Times was unable to reach publicists or a lawyer for Will Smith because of the holiday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 2026
Contemporary newspapers published flattering portraits apparently written by publicists on Dillon’s dime.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
"I spent so much time trying to persuade publicists, managers and talent to come on the show."
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2025
I'm also relatively certain other teenagers in my neighborhood did not wake up at 5:00 in the morning, along with publicists and studio heads, just so they could watch the Oscar nominations announced live.
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
