editor
EHD-ih-tuh
Editor (noun) means a person who reviews and revises written material before publication. Example: “Her editor suggested cutting the final chapter entirely.”
noun
1
A person who reviews and revises written material before publication.
"Her editor suggested cutting the final chapter entirely."
"The editor corrected several spelling mistakes before the book went to print."
"I sent my novel to an editor for feedback."
2
A person who selects and shapes content at a publication, deciding what gets printed.
"The editor decided to run the story on the front page."
"The magazine's editor chooses which articles appear in each issue."
"As news editor, she decides which stories lead the evening bulletin."
3
A software program used for creating or modifying files, especially text or code.
"He wrote the whole script in a plain text editor."
"Open the file in your code editor and change the colour value."
"This editor highlights errors in your code as you type."
How to use editor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that reviews, revises, or oversees content before it goes out.
Common pairings
a magazine editor
a code editor
the editor-in-chief
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Word forms
- Plural
- editors
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Her _____ suggested cutting the final chapter entirely.
Etymology
From Latin editor, from editus, past participle of edere ("to give out, publish").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for editor
suitor
monitor
traitor
visitor
janitor
auditor
creditor
capacitor
solicitor
inhibitor
competitor
inquisitor
See all rhymes for editor →
Frequently asked questions
What does “editor” mean?
The word “editor” means a person who reviews and revises written material before publication. In plain terms, someone (or something) that reviews, revises, or oversees content before it goes out.
How do you pronounce “editor”?
“Editor” is pronounced EHD-ih-tuh (/ˈɛd.ɪ.təɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “editor” in a sentence?
Here is “editor” used in a sentence: “Her editor suggested cutting the final chapter entirely.”
What part of speech is “editor”?
“Editor” is a noun.
Where does the word “editor” come from?
The word “editor” comes from Latin. From Latin editor, from editus, past participle of edere ("to give out, publish").
Is “editor” a common word?
“Editor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “editor” have?
“Editor” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who reviews and revises written material before publication.
What is the difference between an editor and a proofreader?
An editor shapes and improves writing — reworking structure, clarity, tone, and accuracy before publication. A proofreader performs the final check, catching spelling, punctuation, and typographical errors after editing is done. Editing makes the text better; proofreading makes it clean. Many projects use both, in that order.
What are the types of editors?
Common roles include the developmental editor, who guides overall structure and content; the line or copy editor, who refines sentences, grammar, and consistency; and the managing or commissioning editor, who oversees projects and authors. In journalism, subeditors handle headlines and trims. Larger publications layer these roles; smaller ones combine them.
What does an editor do?
An editor reviews written material and revises it for clarity, accuracy, flow, and style before it is published. This can mean cutting or reordering sections, correcting errors, fact-checking, enforcing a house style, and working with the writer to strengthen the piece. The goal is polished, readable, publication-ready text.
What is the difference between an editor and a writer?
A writer creates the original text; an editor reviews and refines it. The writer supplies ideas and first drafts, while the editor improves clarity, structure, and correctness before publication. The roles often overlap — many editors write, and many writers self-edit — but they represent two distinct stages of the process.
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