rewrite

1 of 2

verb

re·​write (ˌ)rē-ˈrīt 

rewrote (ˌ)rē-ˈrōt  ; rewritten (ˌ)rē-ˈri-tᵊn  ; rewriting (ˌ)rē-ˈrī-tiŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to write in reply

2

: to make a revision of (something, such as a story) : cause to be revised: such as

a

: to put (contributed material) into form for publication

b

: to alter (previously published material) for use in another publication

intransitive verb

: to revise something previously written

rewriter noun

rewrite

2 of 2

noun

re·​write ˈrē-ˌrīt 

1

: a piece of writing (such as a news story) constructed by rewriting

2

: an act or instance of rewriting

Examples of rewrite in a Sentence

Verb

The teacher asked him to rewrite the essay.

I had to rewrite the computer program.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024

Trump officials could have sifted through the comments, rewritten the rule and published it as a final rule. —Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Noun

Kraven the Hunter couldn’t be hurried along in reshoots and rewrites. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024

The studio, New Line, was concerned: This was a movie packed with parody and references to the British spy franchise, and the audience response prompted them to tell creator and star Mike Myers that the film needed massive rewrites and reshoots to be salvaged. —Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1567, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rewrite

• rewrite history
• rewrite man
• rewrite rule

Kids Definition

rewrite

1 of 2 verb

re·​write (ˈ)rē-ˈrīt 

rewrote -ˈrōt  ; rewritten -ˈrit-ən  ; rewriting -ˈrīt-ing 

: to write over again : revise

rewriter

-ˈrīt-ər

noun

rewrite

2 of 2 noun

re·​write ˈrē-ˌrīt 

: something rewritten