editing

The word “editing” means the process of reviewing and revising written or recorded material. In plain terms, the work of correcting, cutting, or refining a piece of writing or media.

“Editing” is pronounced EH-dih-tihng (/ˈɛdɪtɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “editing” used in a sentence: “The editing on this film really tightens up the pacing.”

“Editing” is a noun.

“Editing” is a fairly common word in modern English.

Editing involves revising content for clarity, structure, style, and accuracy, often making substantial changes, while proofreading is the final check for surface errors like spelling, punctuation, and typos. Editing usually comes first, and proofreading is the last step before publishing.

Revising means reworking the ideas and content of a piece, while editing focuses on refining the language, correctness, and presentation. The two overlap, but revising tends to be broader and editing more detailed.

Writing is producing new text or material, whereas editing is reviewing and improving material that already exists. An editor works on an existing draft rather than creating it from scratch.

Common phrases include "video editing," "copy editing," "photo editing," "gene editing," and "editing software." The word applies to text, images, audio, film, and more.