edit
EH-diht
Edit (verb) means to change, correct, or improve a piece of writing, video, or other content. Example: “Please edit your essay carefully and fix any spelling mistakes before handing it in.”
verb
1
To change, correct, or improve a piece of writing, video, or other content.
"Please edit your essay carefully and fix any spelling mistakes before handing it in."
"She edited the report before sending it to the client."
"He spent hours editing the wedding footage down to five minutes."
noun
1
A change made to a text, file, or piece of media.
"The editor's final edit cut the film down to ninety minutes."
"Click the history tab to see every edit anyone has made to this page."
"I made a few small edits to your draft."
How to use edit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make changes to improve or correct something, or the change itself.
Common pairings
edit a document
make an edit
edit footage
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Word forms
- Plural
- edits
- Third person singular
- edits
- Past tense
- edited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ your essay carefully and fix any spelling mistakes before handing it in.
Etymology
A back-formation from "editor," reinforced by the French verb éditer.
Related words
Rhymes for edit
See all rhymes for edit →Frequently asked questions
What does “edit” mean?
The word “edit” means to change, correct, or improve a piece of writing, video, or other content. In plain terms, to make changes to improve or correct something, or the change itself.
How do you pronounce “edit”?
“Edit” is pronounced EH-diht (/ˈɛdɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “edit” in a sentence?
Here is “edit” used in a sentence: “She edited the report before sending it to the client.”
What is another word for “edit”?
Words with a similar meaning to “edit” include cut.
What part of speech is “edit”?
Depending on how it is used, “edit” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “edit” come from?
The word “edit” comes from French. A back-formation from "editor," reinforced by the French verb éditer.
Is “edit” a common word?
“Edit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “edit” have?
“Edit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to change, correct, or improve a piece of writing, video, or other content.
What is the difference between "edit" and "revise"?
"Edit" covers changing, correcting, or improving content, and often includes technical work such as trimming a video or fixing punctuation. "Revise" usually means reworking the substance or structure of writing, so editing can be lighter and more surface-level than revising.
What is the difference between "edit" and "proofread"?
Proofreading is a final check for surface errors such as spelling, punctuation, and typos. Editing is broader and can involve reworking wording, structure, and clarity, so proofreading is one narrow part of the larger editing process.
What are common collocations with "edit"?
"Edit" pairs naturally with objects like "edit a document," "edit a photo," "edit a video," and "edit an article." The noun form appears in phrases such as "make an edit" or "a quick edit."
Can "edit" be used as a noun?
Yes. As a noun, "edit" means a change made to a text, file, or piece of media, as in "she made a few edits before publishing." This usage is common in writing, film, and software contexts.
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