AP Stylebook
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The AP Stylebook is widely used as a writing and editing reference in newsrooms, classrooms and corporate offices worldwide. We offer a full suite of products to help you stay in style, whether on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet.
The Stylebook's addiction entry advises avoiding words like abuse or problem in favor of the word "use" with an appropriate modifier such as risky, unhealthy, excessive or heavy. Misuse is also acceptable.
Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms begins
The world’s biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms.
apnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:11 PM
The Stylebook's addiction entry advises avoiding words like abuse or problem in favor of the word "use" with an appropriate modifier such as risky, unhealthy, excessive or heavy. Misuse is also acceptable.
Stylebook Online users tell us they love the convenience of the search function to find the guidance they need quickly, but they miss the serendipity of discovering entries as they paged through the print book.
February 12, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Stylebook Online users tell us they love the convenience of the search function to find the guidance they need quickly, but they miss the serendipity of discovering entries as they paged through the print book.
Where possible avoid using the term HIPAA, which is an acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
Instead refer to privacy laws or the federal law restricting release of medical information. If HIPAA is used in a quote, explain it.
Instead refer to privacy laws or the federal law restricting release of medical information. If HIPAA is used in a quote, explain it.
February 12, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Where possible avoid using the term HIPAA, which is an acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
Instead refer to privacy laws or the federal law restricting release of medical information. If HIPAA is used in a quote, explain it.
Instead refer to privacy laws or the federal law restricting release of medical information. If HIPAA is used in a quote, explain it.
The official mascots of the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics are Tina and Milo, two stoat siblings whose names derive from the host cities of Cortina and Milan.
Stoats are small, agile mountain mammals from the weasel family whose fur changes color with the seasons.
Stoats are small, agile mountain mammals from the weasel family whose fur changes color with the seasons.
February 11, 2026 at 1:08 PM
The official mascots of the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics are Tina and Milo, two stoat siblings whose names derive from the host cities of Cortina and Milan.
Stoats are small, agile mountain mammals from the weasel family whose fur changes color with the seasons.
Stoats are small, agile mountain mammals from the weasel family whose fur changes color with the seasons.
At PRSA’s ICON 2025 in Washington, D.C., this past October, PRSA’s editorial team sat down with Anna Jo Bratton, editor of The Associated Press Stylebook, and Colleen Newvine, product manager for The Associated Press Stylebook.
From Oxford Commas to AI: Inside the Evolving AP Stylebook
From Oxford commas to AI, the AP Stylebook is evolving alongside language and journalism. We sat down with the Stylebook team to talk about what writers are debating now — and what’s next.
www.prsa.org
February 10, 2026 at 8:33 PM
At PRSA’s ICON 2025 in Washington, D.C., this past October, PRSA’s editorial team sat down with Anna Jo Bratton, editor of The Associated Press Stylebook, and Colleen Newvine, product manager for The Associated Press Stylebook.
When describing injuries, ACL is acceptable in all references to the anterior cruciate ligament.
Wishing American Olympian Lindsey Vonn a speedy recovery.
apnews.com/article/lind...
Wishing American Olympian Lindsey Vonn a speedy recovery.
apnews.com/article/lind...
Lindsey Vonn breaks leg in downhill crash at Winter Olympics, in stable condition at hospital
Lindsey Vonn's pursuit of a second Olympic downhill gold medal is over. The 41-year-old American, skiing with a badly injured left knee, crashed early in Sunday's race in Italy.
apnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:06 PM
When describing injuries, ACL is acceptable in all references to the anterior cruciate ligament.
Wishing American Olympian Lindsey Vonn a speedy recovery.
apnews.com/article/lind...
Wishing American Olympian Lindsey Vonn a speedy recovery.
apnews.com/article/lind...
Both Milan Cortina Games and Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are capitalized, with no hyphen in Milan Cortina.
The year always precedes the host city and Olympics, when you're using it as a modifier: 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
The year always precedes the host city and Olympics, when you're using it as a modifier: 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
AP Stylebook Online Topical Guides
The AP Stylebook provides these guides on writing style and guidance for major events in the news.
www.apstylebook.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Both Milan Cortina Games and Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are capitalized, with no hyphen in Milan Cortina.
The year always precedes the host city and Olympics, when you're using it as a modifier: 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
The year always precedes the host city and Olympics, when you're using it as a modifier: 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
The spellings of some frequently used football words and phrases:
blitz (n., v.)
end zone
goal line
kick off (v.)
kickoff (n., adj.)
onside kick
out of bounds (adv.)
out-of-bounds (adj.)
runback (n.)
touchback
apnews.com/hub/nfl
blitz (n., v.)
end zone
goal line
kick off (v.)
kickoff (n., adj.)
onside kick
out of bounds (adv.)
out-of-bounds (adj.)
runback (n.)
touchback
apnews.com/hub/nfl
NFL Scores, News & Stats | Latest Super Bowl News
Follow the complete coverage of Super Bowl 60 between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, happening on February 8, 2026, in San Francisco
apnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:04 PM
The spellings of some frequently used football words and phrases:
blitz (n., v.)
end zone
goal line
kick off (v.)
kickoff (n., adj.)
onside kick
out of bounds (adv.)
out-of-bounds (adj.)
runback (n.)
touchback
apnews.com/hub/nfl
blitz (n., v.)
end zone
goal line
kick off (v.)
kickoff (n., adj.)
onside kick
out of bounds (adv.)
out-of-bounds (adj.)
runback (n.)
touchback
apnews.com/hub/nfl
We frequently hear from AP style fans that they wish there were a spellcheck for AP style or Grammarly for AP style.
AP StyleGuard Pro style-checking tools
Whether you are new to AP style or you want help keeping up with changing guidance, let our style-checking tools help you write and edit. Get style-checking help for Microsoft Word, Outlook and…
store.stylebooks.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:22 PM
We frequently hear from AP style fans that they wish there were a spellcheck for AP style or Grammarly for AP style.
Olympic adjectives are styled with no S on Olympic and always capitalized: Olympic gold medal, Olympic organizers, Olympic host city, Olympic flame, etc.
Check our AP Stylebook Online Topical Guide for more Olympic style: www.apstylebook.com/topical_most...
Check our AP Stylebook Online Topical Guide for more Olympic style: www.apstylebook.com/topical_most...
AP Stylebook Online Topical Guides
The AP Stylebook provides these guides on writing style and guidance for major events in the news.
www.apstylebook.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Olympic adjectives are styled with no S on Olympic and always capitalized: Olympic gold medal, Olympic organizers, Olympic host city, Olympic flame, etc.
Check our AP Stylebook Online Topical Guide for more Olympic style: www.apstylebook.com/topical_most...
Check our AP Stylebook Online Topical Guide for more Olympic style: www.apstylebook.com/topical_most...
Do not abbreviate the names of U.S. territories. There are 16 such territories; 11 of them are small islands, reefs or atolls in the Caribbean or the Pacific, without native populations.
Why Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show will be a landmark moment for Puerto Rico
Bad Bunny captivated audiences with his residency in Puerto Rico, inspiring patriotism and drawing half a million people to the island this summer.
apnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Do not abbreviate the names of U.S. territories. There are 16 such territories; 11 of them are small islands, reefs or atolls in the Caribbean or the Pacific, without native populations.
It's not too late to join our Digital Strategy and Content Creation online course.
The second live session is Wednesday morning. When you register, you get recordings of all the webinars so you can watch Week One at your convenience.
The second live session is Wednesday morning. When you register, you get recordings of all the webinars so you can watch Week One at your convenience.
Digital Strategy and Content Creation
In this course, we'll cover the current state of the digital landscape, including the impact of AI, the importance of investing in loyal audiences and how to nurture the communities you create.
store.stylebooks.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:05 PM
It's not too late to join our Digital Strategy and Content Creation online course.
The second live session is Wednesday morning. When you register, you get recordings of all the webinars so you can watch Week One at your convenience.
The second live session is Wednesday morning. When you register, you get recordings of all the webinars so you can watch Week One at your convenience.
Capitalize House of Representatives when referring to a specific governmental body, such as the U.S. House of Representatives, the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Capitalize shortened references that delete the words of Representatives: the U.S. House, the Massachusetts House.
Capitalize shortened references that delete the words of Representatives: the U.S. House, the Massachusetts House.
February 3, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Capitalize House of Representatives when referring to a specific governmental body, such as the U.S. House of Representatives, the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Capitalize shortened references that delete the words of Representatives: the U.S. House, the Massachusetts House.
Capitalize shortened references that delete the words of Representatives: the U.S. House, the Massachusetts House.
Mace is capitalized because it is a trademark, shortened from Chemical Mace, for a brand of tear gas that is packaged in an aerosol canister and temporarily stuns its victims.
The generic term tear gas is two words and lowercase.
The generic term tear gas is two words and lowercase.
February 2, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Mace is capitalized because it is a trademark, shortened from Chemical Mace, for a brand of tear gas that is packaged in an aerosol canister and temporarily stuns its victims.
The generic term tear gas is two words and lowercase.
The generic term tear gas is two words and lowercase.
The Stylebook's immigration entry lists immigration detention centers, detention facilities, immigration jail and holding facilities as among the terms for places where people are held for reasons related to immigration status and are not free to leave.
January 30, 2026 at 5:12 PM
The Stylebook's immigration entry lists immigration detention centers, detention facilities, immigration jail and holding facilities as among the terms for places where people are held for reasons related to immigration status and are not free to leave.
A freeze describes conditions when the temperature at or near the surface is expected to be below 32 degrees.
Adjectives such as "severe" or "hard" are used if a cold spell exceeding two days is expected. A hard freeze is when the temperature drops to 28 degrees in areas that don’t usually freeze.
Adjectives such as "severe" or "hard" are used if a cold spell exceeding two days is expected. A hard freeze is when the temperature drops to 28 degrees in areas that don’t usually freeze.
January 29, 2026 at 6:29 PM
A freeze describes conditions when the temperature at or near the surface is expected to be below 32 degrees.
Adjectives such as "severe" or "hard" are used if a cold spell exceeding two days is expected. A hard freeze is when the temperature drops to 28 degrees in areas that don’t usually freeze.
Adjectives such as "severe" or "hard" are used if a cold spell exceeding two days is expected. A hard freeze is when the temperature drops to 28 degrees in areas that don’t usually freeze.
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Check out our product roster to find the tool that will help you with the work you do.
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The AP Stylebook 2 print edition, web-based access and style-checking software.
store.stylebooks.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:22 PM
What's the right AP Stylebook product for you?
Check out our product roster to find the tool that will help you with the work you do.
store.stylebooks.com
Check out our product roster to find the tool that will help you with the work you do.
store.stylebooks.com
AP style recommends spelling out body camera for cameras mounted on clothing, generally of law enforcers.
When the condensed version appears in headlines or in quotes, it is bodycam, one word.
When the condensed version appears in headlines or in quotes, it is bodycam, one word.
January 28, 2026 at 2:09 PM
AP style recommends spelling out body camera for cameras mounted on clothing, generally of law enforcers.
When the condensed version appears in headlines or in quotes, it is bodycam, one word.
When the condensed version appears in headlines or in quotes, it is bodycam, one word.
Revenue models have had a series of disruptions, algorithmic updates and AI features have destabilized search strategies, and social continues to be an enigma.
Digital Strategy and Content Creation
In this course, we'll cover the current state of the digital landscape, including the impact of AI, the importance of investing in loyal audiences and how to nurture the communities you create.
buff.ly
January 27, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Revenue models have had a series of disruptions, algorithmic updates and AI features have destabilized search strategies, and social continues to be an enigma.
Our dictionary, Merriam-Webster, defines a snow day as a day when schools and businesses are closed because a lot of snow is falling. Note it's two words, no hyphen.
US braces for more freezing cold as winter storm leaves at least 28 dead
Many U.S. residents are facing another night of below-freezing temperatures and no electricity after a massive winter storm dumped more snow in Northeast and left parts of the South coated in ice.
apnews.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Our dictionary, Merriam-Webster, defines a snow day as a day when schools and businesses are closed because a lot of snow is falling. Note it's two words, no hyphen.
Our primary dictionary, Merriam-Webster, shows showerhead as one word, no hyphen.
apnews.com/article/show...
apnews.com/article/show...
House passes bill codifying Trump order to rinse away showerhead regulations
The House gave approval to legislation aimed at loosening water efficiency regulations for showerheads.
apnews.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Our primary dictionary, Merriam-Webster, shows showerhead as one word, no hyphen.
apnews.com/article/show...
apnews.com/article/show...
For dog breed names, follow the spelling and capitalization in Merriam-Webster.
For breeds not listed in the dictionary, capitalize words derived from proper nouns; use lowercase elsewhere: basset hound, Boston terrier.
apnews.com/article/gift...
For breeds not listed in the dictionary, capitalize words derived from proper nouns; use lowercase elsewhere: basset hound, Boston terrier.
apnews.com/article/gift...
Some dogs can expand their vocabulary by eavesdropping on their owners
A new study finds that some gifted dogs can learn the names of new toys by eavesdropping. It's a skill that has only been observed in a few animals, like parrots and apes.
apnews.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:23 PM
For dog breed names, follow the spelling and capitalization in Merriam-Webster.
For breeds not listed in the dictionary, capitalize words derived from proper nouns; use lowercase elsewhere: basset hound, Boston terrier.
apnews.com/article/gift...
For breeds not listed in the dictionary, capitalize words derived from proper nouns; use lowercase elsewhere: basset hound, Boston terrier.
apnews.com/article/gift...
The AP Stylebook Workshops will return this year with four weeks of instruction on mechanics and four weeks focusing on the big-picture concerns of creating good content.
AP Stylebook Workshops
Join editors from The Associated Press for one or both engaging AP Stylebook Workshops in 2026, and you'll build your knowledge of AP style and your confidence in how to apply it to your work. In…
store.stylebooks.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:08 PM
The AP Stylebook Workshops will return this year with four weeks of instruction on mechanics and four weeks focusing on the big-picture concerns of creating good content.
As Timothée Chalamet (note the accent!) ping-pongs from one awards season event to another for "Marty Supreme," we're revising our guidance.
January 22, 2026 at 1:15 PM
As Timothée Chalamet (note the accent!) ping-pongs from one awards season event to another for "Marty Supreme," we're revising our guidance.
The term red carpet applies to the ceremonial arrival area, often outside the event location, where guests arriving at award shows strut their finery, greet fans and give media interviews. That's regardless of whether the carpet is literally red or not.
apnews.com/hub/awards-s...
apnews.com/hub/awards-s...
Awards Season
apnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:33 PM
The term red carpet applies to the ceremonial arrival area, often outside the event location, where guests arriving at award shows strut their finery, greet fans and give media interviews. That's regardless of whether the carpet is literally red or not.
apnews.com/hub/awards-s...
apnews.com/hub/awards-s...