articles

articles — noun

1. A written text that appears in a newspaper, magazine, or on a website and provid

1.nounA2
Definition

A written text that appears in a newspaper, magazine, or on a website and provides news or opinions about a specific subject.

Example

Mayumi writes articles about technology for a popular online magazine.

article + about + topic

Soraya published an article on coral reef conservation in a marine biology journal.

article + on + subject

Common collocations
  • write an article
  • publish an article
  • feature article
  • lead article
  • read an article
  • article about
  • article on
Synonyms
  • piece

    more informal; used especially in journalism contexts ('a piece on urban planning')

  • report

    focuses on factual news rather than opinion or analysis

  • essay

    usually longer and more academic than a typical article

Grammar Patterns

article + about + topic

article + on + subject

Usage Note

Often modified by a topic area before the word itself: 'a news article', 'a feature article', 'a science article'.

Common Mistakes

I wrote an article for the news.
I wrote a news article for the local newspaper.
'news' is not a synonym for 'article'; specify the type of article.

2. In English, the grammatical words 'a', 'an', and 'the' appear before a noun to m

2.nounA2
Definition

In English, the grammatical words 'a', 'an', and 'the' appear before a noun to mark whether that noun refers to something specific or general.

Example

Michael struggled to remember when to use the article 'the' instead of 'a'.

definite article 'the' vs. indefinite article 'a'

The teacher asked the class to underline every article in the short paragraph.

Common collocations
  • definite article
  • indefinite article
  • use an article
  • missing article
  • add an article
Synonyms
  • determiner

    a broader grammar category that includes articles, demonstratives, and possessives

Grammar Patterns

definite article

indefinite article

Usage Note

The two types — definite ('the') and indefinite ('a' / 'an') — follow different rules. Learners whose native language lacks articles often omit or misuse them.

Common Mistakes

I like a music.
I like music.
uncountable nouns do not take the indefinite article 'a' or 'an'.
She is teacher.
She is a teacher.
singular countable nouns need an article.

3. A particular object or item that belongs to a larger group or class of similar t

3.nounB2
Definition

A particular object or item that belongs to a larger group or class of similar things, often used in formal or commercial contexts.

Example

The police found several stolen articles inside the suspect's van during the search.

article as 'stolen item'

Wei listed every article of furniture in the apartment before the movers arrived.

article of + noun (furniture)

Common collocations
  • article of clothing
  • article of furniture
  • stolen articles
  • valuable articles
  • personal articles
Synonyms
  • item

    more common in everyday use; less formal

  • object

    emphasises physical, tangible nature

  • piece

    often used with 'of' ('piece of furniture', 'piece of equipment')

Grammar Patterns

article of + noun

Usage Note

Common in the fixed phrase 'articles of clothing' and in legal or inventory contexts. Often replaced by 'item' or 'thing' in everyday speech.

Common Mistakes

I bought three articles at the supermarket.
I bought three items at the supermarket.
'article' for a purchased item sounds overly formal in casual settings.

4. Each numbered division inside a legal contract, treaty, or constitution sets out

4.nounB2
Definition

Each numbered division inside a legal contract, treaty, or constitution sets out one specific rule or condition that the parties must follow.

Example

Article Three of the lease agreement states that pets are not allowed in the building.

Article + number of + document

The two sides disagreed over the interpretation of Article Seven of the trade deal.

Common collocations
  • Article 1
  • under Article
  • Article of the constitution
  • Article of the treaty
  • Article of the agreement
Synonyms
  • clause

    often a smaller unit within an article; more specific

  • section

    a general term for any divided part of a document

  • provision

    focuses on what the article stipulates or provides

Grammar Patterns

Article + number

Usage Note

Typically capitalised when followed by a number referring to a specific section ('Article 3', 'Article 14'). The constitution, contract, or treaty name is usually mentioned in the same sentence.

Common Mistakes

Look at article 5 of the contract.
Look at Article 5 of the contract.
Specific numbered articles are usually capitalised in legal writing.
Idioms

do one's articles

idiom

To complete a period of paid training in a law office as part of qualifying to become a solicitor, especially in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries.

Leo did his articles at a corporate law firm in London and qualified as a solicitor last year.

Niran decided to do his articles with a human rights organization rather than a commercial firm.

articles — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to a written text on a particular subject, but they differ in context and formality. 'Article' is the standard term for a factual or opinion-based text in a newspaper, magazine, or website — the most neutral and common choice. 'Piece' is more informal and flexible: a journalist might say 'I wrote a piece on the election' in casual conversation, but 'an article on the election' in a formal bio. 'Report' emphasises factual news coverage rather than opinion or analysis; it suggests direct observation and objective telling. 'Essay' is longer, more academic or reflective, and is typically found in journals, books, or exam settings rather than daily news. For example, a science magazine might feature 'an article about climate change,' while a student submits 'an essay about renewable energy' to their professor.

article ↗piece ↗report ↗essay ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • newspaper article
  • magazine article
  • online article
  • journal article

Phrases

  • article of clothing
  • article of faith
  • articles of association

Prepositions

  • in (an article)
  • on (a subject)
  • about (a topic)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'article' entered English in the 13th century from Old French 'article', which came from Latin 'articulus' — literally 'a small joint' or 'connecting part' (from 'artus' meaning 'joint'). The original Latin sense of a small connecting piece evolved into 'a separate part of something', which gave rise to the meanings of a clause in a document, an item in a list, and later a piece of writing that forms a separate part of a publication.

First known use

13th century

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb