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

The narrative rewrites itself almost overnight. —Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026

If that’s the case, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 could be scuttled, and DeSantis could rewrite the map to target the two Florida seats held by African Americans. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026

Noun

An earlier version of the film is already notorious for portraying the first of those allegations as an extortion attempt before pricey rewrites and reshoots. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026

Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer has masterminded the charter rewrite, promoting it as a way to make county government more transparent and accountable to the public. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 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