What does "article" mean?
A piece of nonfiction writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, encyclopedia, etc.
Article
/ˈɑːtɪkl̩/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A piece of nonfiction writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, encyclopedia, etc.
- Grammar: article is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: a single, accuse, affair, allege.
- Useful contrasts: bk, book of, cruz.
- Usage evidence: Excuse me; allow me to point out three errors in the above article.
How to use "article"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "article" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "article" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "article" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "article" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "article" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "a single" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "article", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A piece of nonfiction writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, encyclopedia, etc.
"Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are […]. (Common gem materials not addressed in this article include amber, amethyst, chalcedony, garnet, lazurite, malachite, opals, peridot, rhodonite, spinel, tourmaline, turquoise and zircon.)"
- 2 one of a class of artifacts wordnet
- 3 An object, a member of a group or class.
"an article of clothing"
- 4 nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication wordnet
- 5 A part of speech that indicates, specifies and limits a noun (a, an, or the in English). In some languages the article may appear as an ending (e.g. definite article in Swedish) or there may be none (e.g. Russian, Pashto).
"‘A song called “Freak Like Me” by the Sugababes,’ said Jesse. ‘Just Sugababes, no article,’ the man said, enjoying the stunned reaction on Jesse’s face."
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 (grammar) a determiner that may indicate the specificity of reference of a noun phrase wordnet
- 7 A section of a legal document, bylaws, etc. or, in the plural, the entire document seen as a collection of these.
"The Articles of War are a set of regulations[…]to govern the conduct of[…]military[…]forces"
- 8 a separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will) wordnet
- 9 Ellipsis of genuine article. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
- 10 A part or segment of something joined to other parts, or, in combination, forming a structured set.
"Each of the chelicerae is composed of two articles, forming a powerful pincer."
- 11 A person; an individual. dated, derogatory
"a shrewd article"
- 12 A wench. obsolete, slang
"She's a prime article, a devilish good piece, a hell of a goer."
- 13 Subject matter; concern. dated
"a very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding"
- 14 A distinct part. dated
- 15 A precise point in time; a moment. obsolete
"This fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have had no little influence on the jury and all the bench to his prejudice."
Verb
- 1 To bind by articles of apprenticeship. transitive
"to article an apprentice to a mechanic"
- 2 bind by a contract; especially for a training period wordnet
- 3 To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles or accusations. obsolete
"At noon dined alone with Sir W. Batten, where great discourse of Sir W. Pen, Sir W. Batten being, I perceive, quite out of love with him, thinking him too great and too high, and began to talk that the world do question his courage, upon which I told him plainly I have been told that he was articled against for it, and that Sir H. Vane was his great friend therein."
- 4 To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
"If […]all his errors and follies were articled against him, the man would seem vicious and miserable."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Excuse me; allow me to point out three errors in the above article."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "article"?
Common synonyms include: a single, accuse, affair, allege, any old thing, apercu.
How do you use "article" in a sentence?
Excuse me; allow me to point out three errors in the above article.
How do you pronounce "article"?
Pronounced /ˈɑːtɪkl̩/.
Etymology
From Middle English article, from Old French article, from Latin articulus (“a joint, limb, member, part, division, the article in grammar, a point of time”), from Latin artus, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂értus (“that which is fit together; juncture, ordering”), from the root *h₂er- (“to join, fit (together)”). Doublet of articulus.