news */*/*/

UK [njuːz] / US [nuz] noun [uncountable]

Get it right: news:

Although the word news has an -s on the end, it is an uncountable noun, so: ▪  it is never used in the plural ▪  it does not follow a
Wrong: She now lives in exile, but the good news are that her words are heard over the world.
Right: She now lives in exile, but the good news is that her words are heard over the world.
Wrong: For too long we have ignored these news.
Right: For too long we have ignored this news.
Wrong: Hong Kong wants to ban smoking in restaurants. This is a good news for non-smokers.
Right: ...This is good news for non-smokers.  
Q: How can I refer to a single item of news?
A: You can use news on its own, or say some news or, less frequently, a piece of news. Bush was in a meeting when he heard news of the attack. I've got some news that may cheer you up. I've had a surprising piece of news.

1) information about something that has happened recently

I'm afraid I've got some bad news.

I wrote to John telling him all the latest news.

news of/about:

Friends expressed shock at the news of his death.

news for:

Good news for home owners!

news on the health/trade etc front:

There's brighter news on the romantic front for my sisters.

news on:

The leaflet is full of up-to-date news on the environment.

hear the news:

Have you heard the good news? Michael's got the job!

break the news (= tell someone about something bad):

I'm not looking forward to breaking the news to Dad.

piece/bit of news:

She was delighted by this piece of news.

news comes/arrives/reaches someone:

That day the news came of the invasion of Normandy.

2)

a) information about recent events that is reported in newspapers or on television or radio

foreign/sports/financial news

item of news:

The first item of news was the fire at the palace.

news breaks (= becomes publicly known):

Johnson has been in hiding since news of his affair broke yesterday.

b) [only before noun] connected with news

news item/broadcast

news coverage:

the BBC's excellent 24-hour news coverage

3) the news a television or radio broadcast that gives you information about recent events, read by a newsreader with special reports by correspondents

I always listen to the nine o'clock news.

on the news:

Did you see Tony Blair on the news last night?

•

bad/terrible/horrible etc news for — likely to make things worse for someone or something

The election result is terrible news for social welfare programs.

great/good/wonderful etc news for — likely to make things better for someone or something

Reducing the use of weed-killers is good news for the environment.

that's/it's news to me — spoken used for saying that you did not know about something, especially when you are annoyed about this

"Sally says she's borrowing your car tomorrow." "That's news to me!"

- have news for someone

- in the news

- no news is good news

See:

bad news