correspondent

1 of 2

adjective

cor·​re·​spon·​dent ˌkȯr-ə-ˈspän-dənt 

ˌkär-

1

: corresponding

2

: fitting, conforming

—used with with or to

The outcome was entirely correspondent with my wishes.

correspondent

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: one who communicates with another by letter

b

: one who has regular commercial relations with another

c

: one who contributes news or commentary to a publication (such as a newspaper) or a radio or television network often from a distant place

a war correspondent

2

: something that corresponds

Synonyms of correspondent

Adjective

• similar
• analogous
• like
• comparable
• alike
• such
• corresponding

Noun

• reporter
• journalist

Examples of correspondent in a Sentence

Adjective

reading and writing are actually correspondent activities

Noun

When writing to business correspondents, use a formal tone.

a correspondent in the Middle East bureau just filed a new report on the coup

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Allbritton and Grieve have approached senior congressional correspondent Paul Kane, White House bureau chief Matt Viser, chief economics correspondent Jeff Stein, tech reporter Drew Harwell, White House reporter Dan Diamond, and columnist Carolyn Hax, among others. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026

The story’s correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi accused CBS News management of placating the White House, turning the decision into a public relations fiasco for the network. —Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026

Puck’s Dylan Byers reports that CNN senior international correspondent Frederik Pleitgen has arrived in Iran to cover the war. —Cate Martel, The Hill, 5 Mar. 2026

Since that time, talks with King have broadened, and people familiar with discussions said options including a role as a special correspondent or a final year as host were among scenarios being considered. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin correspondent-, correspondens, present participle of correspondēre — see correspond

Noun

see correspond

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing correspondent

• foreign correspondent

Rhymes for correspondent

• despondent
• respondent
• fondant

Kids Definition

correspondent

1 of 2 adjective

cor·​re·​spon·​dent ˌkȯr-ə-ˈspän-dənt 

1

: similar sense 1

2

: being in agreement : fitting

correspondent

2 of 2 noun

1

: something that corresponds to something else

2

a

: one who communicates with another by letter

b

: one who contributes news to a newspaper or newscast often from a distant place