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copy editing

copy editing

2 3.6
A process of checking and correcting written text to make it clear and accurate before publication
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑpi ˈɛdɪtɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : edición de textos
  • Before publication, the author relied on professional copy editing to ensure that the manuscript was polished and error-free.

Then, you know, they've been to copy edits and this and I had to go through and review the proofs.

Examples

  • Back in Seattle, I did copy editing and some fact-checking.

  • Copy editing just polishes the author's writing to make it easier to read.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Still awaiting final copy editing.

    Blog text (6)
  • And yes, I make my husband copy-edit most of my posts!

    Blog text (21)
  • Low-level copy editing is often about as much as can be asked.

    Blog text (11)
  • Because it's so easy to self-publish now, many people do so without investing in professional copy-editing or design.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Now I'm starting to get them professionally copy edited, prior to trying CreateSpace for actual paper copies.

    Blog text (20)
  • Besides that, though, yours truly will help carry the flag for Region 7 when I give a presentation on copy editing for freelance journalists at the convention.

    Blog text (16)
  • I needed to remind them of what our process of editorial review was and that there's copy editing that goes on with every author, and there certainly would be editing that would go on with this author.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Stories that are not copy-edited are riddled with typos and filled with run-on sentences. Basically, please read and re-read your story before you submit it.

    Blog text (9)

Synonyms

editing
vscopy editing
126 2.7

The act of preparing writing, videos, or recordings for sharing by correcting and arranging them

is limited to written text and focuses on final style and accuracy checks
revising
vscopy editing
2.9

The act of changing writing to make it clearer

focuses more on final corrections for accuracy and style before publication

How Thorough

editing
126 2.7
copy editing
  • Specialized
2 3.6
proofreading
4 3.2

Surface Forms

copy editing singular
copy editings plural

Morphology

copy + edit

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'copy' (written material) with 'edit' (to revise): 'copy editing' literally refers to the editing of copy for publication. This compound/gerund construction is a regular, compositional pattern in English (and parallels exist in other languages), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Copy editing may come from old print shops. In those shops copy meant the written text ready to print and editing was the job of checking and fixing it, so copy editing literally meant 'fixing the copy' before printing and now means checking and correcting a text.