blue-pencil

blue-pen·cil | \ ˈblü-ˈpen(t)-səl

How to pronounce blue-pencil (audio)

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blue-penciled; blue-penciling; blue-pencils

Definition of blue-pencil

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to edit especially by shortening or deletion

blue pencil

Definition of blue pencil (Entry 2 of 2)

: a writing instrument used for editing also : the act or practice of blue-penciling

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Examples of blue-pencil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Meghan was sleek in a baby-blue pencil dress and her hair, clasped behind her in a low ponytail, was noticeably longer since the last time she was photographed in public in London. — Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are back and glowing at London awards gala," 5 Mar. 2020 The blue pencil, which has Royal Sovereign designs on it and sports a metal spike dagger inside, sold for $77, or 60 British pounds. — Fox News, "Rare World War II 'escape kits' sold at auction," 19 Nov. 2019 Stalin’s blue pencil, unlike that of other editors, glided across not just poetry chapbooks and literary journals but life itself. — Aaron Lake Smith, Harper's magazine, "The Trials of Vasily Grossman," 24 June 2019 But a blue pencil is as strong as a sword, and more cut and thrust would have made this book sharper. — Laura Jacobs, New York Times, "Ten Women Whose Tongues and Pens Were as ‘Sharp’ as Knives," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'blue-pencil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near blue-pencil

blue parrot fish

Statistics for blue-pencil

Cite this Entry

“Blue-pencil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue-pencil. Accessed 8 Apr. 2020.

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