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 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

2

: to write in reply

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

In an age when AI is rewriting job descriptions faster than universities can update curricula, purpose is the one career asset that cannot be automated. — Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Operating behind proprietary architectures, providers of closed AI models can modify algorithms, rewrite policies, or restrict access overnight without warning. — James Marks, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Noun

In Writer, users can draft, rewrite, translate, and proofread without leaving the document. — Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Ultimately, the seven-day first draft serves as a jump-start for the rewrite phase, which does stretch out over time and distance. — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1567, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rewrite

• rewrite history
• rewrite man
• rewrite rule

Rhymes for rewrite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

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