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
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.
But “the hardest thing for people like me,” he says, “is getting new fans. Industry wide, everybody’s asking themselves that question. Every artist, every manager, every publicist is like, ‘Yeah, you’ve got your fans.
From Salon • May 15, 2026
Shortly after Lively's lawsuit was filed, Baldoni brought defamation cases against Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, claiming they were aiming to ruin his career and reputation with the allegations.
From BBC • May 4, 2026
Contacted by AFP, Taylor Swift's publicist did not immediately respond.
From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026
Baldoni brought defamation suits against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, claiming they were aiming to ruin his career and reputation with the allegations, as well as the New York Times.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 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
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.
