copy editor

noun

variants or less commonly copyeditor

ˈkä-pē-ˌe-də-tər 

1

: an editor who prepares copy for the typesetter

2

: one who edits and headlines newspaper copy

copyedit

ˈkä-pē-ˌe-dət 

transitive verb

or copy edit

Examples of copy editor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What, did a copy editor write this? —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 16 June 2026

The Chicago Outerbelt, a 210-mile trail that encircles the city, intrigued our copy editor. —Diane Penningroth, Midwest Living, 12 June 2026

The widespread adoption of AI tools among writers of all stripes also comes at a time when financially pressured newsrooms and publishers are increasingly cutting copy editors and fact-checkers from their workflows. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026

In April 1998, Carlson left the Herald to join the Tribune as a copy editor. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for copy editor

• coeditor
• creditor
• predator

Kids Definition

copy editor

noun

1

: an employee of a publishing house who corrects manuscript copy

2

: a person who edits and writes headlines for newspaper copy

copyedit

ˈkäp-ē-ˌed-ət 

verb