copyediting

IPA/kˈɒpɪˌɛdɪtɪŋ/
IPA/kˈɑːpɪˌɛdɪɾɪŋ/

copyediting — noun

1. the work of checking a piece of writing and improving grammar, spelling, style,

1.nounC1
Definition

the work of checking a piece of writing and improving grammar, spelling, style, and consistency before it is published

Example

Heather did the copyediting for the travel guide before the pages went to print.

do copyediting for + publication

Kenji finished copyediting Meera's grant proposal and fixed the heading styles.

Common collocations
  • do copyediting
  • copyediting for a journal
  • copyediting of a manuscript
  • professional copyediting
Synonyms
  • editing

    broader; can include larger structural or content changes

  • proofreading

    narrower; usually focuses on final surface errors

  • revision

    often suggests bigger changes to content or organization

Grammar Patterns

do copyediting

copyediting for + publication

copyediting of + manuscript/report

Usage Note

Usually uncountable when it refers to the work in general. In publishing, it often includes grammar, punctuation, style, and house-consistency checks before final proofreading or printing.

Common Mistakes

The proofreading included making the article's tone more consistent.
The copyediting included making the article's tone more consistent.
proofreading is usually the final check for small surface errors, while copyediting can also improve wording and consistency.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Copyediting is narrower than editing and usually happens after the overall structure of a piece is settled. Editing can include cutting sections, reorganizing ideas, or asking for new material. Proofreading is narrower still and usually comes at the final stage, when the wording is already fixed and the goal is to catch small slips in spelling, punctuation, or layout. Revision often suggests bigger changes to content or organization. A magazine team might revise an article, do copyediting on the near-final draft, and then proofread the page proofs before release.

editing ↗proofreadingrevision ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • copyediting service
  • copyediting stage
  • copyediting job
  • copyediting marks

Phrases

  • do copyediting
  • work in copyediting
  • copyediting before publication

Prepositions

  • copyediting for
  • copyediting of

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Copyediting developed in English from copy edit and names the work of preparing copy, meaning text for publication. In publishing, copy has long referred to text that will be set or printed, so copyediting came to mean checking that text for grammar, style, and consistency before publication.