blue-pencil

verb

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blue-pen·cil | \ ˈblü-ˈpen(t)-səl

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

noun

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 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, 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, 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.