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

Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. — Cristina Larue, Arkansas Online, 9 July 2026

According to the lawsuit, Independence City Clerk Suzanne Holland notified organizers of the beginning of the 10-day re-collection period in a letter dated May 28, but with the date scratched out in pen and rewritten as May 29. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Noun

Developing any content and securing approval before design also enables design projects to flow more easily with minor edits rather than complete rewrites of copy. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Just then, though, Maxine’s future gets a rewrite. — Los Angeles Times, 26 June 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