Top 30 Slang For Editing – Meaning & Usage

Editing, a crucial part of the writing process, has its own set of terms and phrases that can sometimes feel like a foreign language. Whether you’re a seasoned editor or just starting out, our team has curated a list of the top slang words and expressions used in the editing world. Get ready to brush up on your editing lingo and take your skills to the next level with our comprehensive guide.

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1. Chop

To remove or delete a section of text or content. The term “chop” is often used when referring to significant edits or revisions.

For example, a writer might say, “I had to chop out a whole paragraph to make the article flow better.”
In a collaborative editing process, an editor might suggest, “I think we should chop this section and focus on the main points.”
A teacher might provide feedback to a student’s essay, saying, “You need to chop this sentence, it doesn’t add anything to your argument.”

2. Revise

To make changes or corrections to a piece of writing. “Revise” often implies a more comprehensive and detail-oriented approach to editing.

For instance, a writer might say, “I need to revise this chapter before submitting it to my editor.”
In a writing workshop, an instructor might advise, “Take some time to revise your essay for clarity and coherence.”
A student might ask a peer, “Can you help me revise my paper? I’m not sure if it’s well-organized.”

3. Polish

To improve or perfect a piece of writing by making it more polished, coherent, or professional. “Polish” often refers to the final stages of editing before publication.

For example, an author might say, “I just need to polish up the conclusion, and then the manuscript is ready.”
In a business setting, a manager might request, “Please polish this report before sending it to the client.”
A writing coach might advise, “Don’t rush the polishing stage. Take your time to ensure your writing is error-free and engaging.”

4. Redline

To mark corrections, changes, or suggestions on a document using red ink or highlighting. “Redline” is often used in professional editing or proofreading.

For instance, an editor might say, “I’ll redline this manuscript and send it back to the author for revisions.”
In a legal setting, a lawyer might ask a colleague, “Can you redline this contract and make sure all the changes are accurately reflected?”
A professor might provide feedback on a student’s paper, saying, “I’ve redlined some areas where you need to provide more evidence or clarification.”

5. Tweak

To make small changes or fine-tune a piece of writing. “Tweak” implies making minor edits or modifications to improve the overall quality or effectiveness.

For example, a blogger might say, “I just need to tweak the title to make it more catchy.”
In a creative writing workshop, a peer might suggest, “You should tweak the dialogue in this scene to make it sound more natural.”
A copywriter might discuss a client’s feedback, saying, “They want us to tweak the tone of this ad to make it more humorous.”

6. Clean up

This term refers to the process of improving or tidying up a piece of content, such as a document or a photo. It involves removing errors, inconsistencies, or unnecessary elements to make the content more polished.

For example, a writer might say, “I need to clean up this article before submitting it to my editor.”
A photographer might comment, “I’ll clean up the background of this photo to make the subject stand out.”
In a discussion about video editing, someone might suggest, “You can clean up the audio by removing background noise.”

7. Fine-tune

This term refers to the process of making small adjustments or refinements to improve the quality or effectiveness of something. It involves making subtle changes to achieve a desired outcome or enhance the overall performance.

For instance, a musician might say, “I need to fine-tune this song before recording it.”
A graphic designer might comment, “I’ll fine-tune the spacing between elements to create a more balanced composition.”
In a conversation about optimizing a website, someone might suggest, “You can fine-tune the loading speed by optimizing the images.”

8. Fix up

This term refers to the act of repairing or improving something that is damaged, broken, or not functioning properly. It involves making necessary adjustments or modifications to restore or enhance the condition or functionality of the object.

For example, a handyman might say, “I’ll fix up the leaky faucet in your kitchen.”
A car enthusiast might comment, “I’m going to fix up this old car and make it look brand new.”
In a discussion about home renovations, someone might suggest, “You can fix up the outdated bathroom by replacing the fixtures and tiles.”

9. Revamp

This term refers to the process of giving something a new and improved look or form. It involves making significant changes or updates to refresh or modernize the appearance, functionality, or overall design.

For instance, a fashion designer might say, “I’m going to revamp my clothing line for the upcoming season.”
A website developer might comment, “We need to revamp the user interface to make it more intuitive and user-friendly.”
In a conversation about rebranding, someone might suggest, “You can revamp the company logo to better reflect the brand’s values.”

10. Refine

This term refers to the process of improving or polishing something to make it more precise, elegant, or effective. It involves making subtle adjustments or modifications to enhance the quality, clarity, or overall excellence.

For example, a writer might say, “I need to refine my manuscript before submitting it to the publisher.”
A chef might comment, “I’ll refine the recipe by adjusting the seasoning and cooking time.”
In a discussion about graphic design, someone might suggest, “You can refine the typography by choosing a more suitable font and adjusting the spacing.”

11. Touch up

When you touch up something, you make small changes or improvements to it.

For example, a photographer might touch up a photo by adjusting the brightness and contrast.
A writer might touch up a document by fixing grammar errors and rephrasing sentences.
A designer might touch up a graphic by adding some finishing touches.

12. Cut and paste

Cut and paste is a term used to describe the action of copying and moving sections of text or images from one place to another.

For instance, a student might cut and paste information from different sources to create a research paper.
A graphic designer might cut and paste elements from different images to create a collage.
A video editor might cut and paste clips to create a montage.

13. Proofread

Proofreading involves carefully reading a text to identify and correct errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting.

For example, before submitting an essay, it is important to proofread it for any mistakes.
A writer might proofread their novel before sending it to a publisher.
A content creator might proofread their blog post before publishing it online.

14. Amend

Amend means to make changes or corrections to a document, typically a legal or official one.

For instance, a lawyer might amend a contract to add or remove clauses.
A government might amend a law to reflect new regulations.
A company might amend its bylaws to update its policies.

15. Upgrade

Upgrade means to improve or enhance something, often by replacing it with a newer or better version.

For example, a computer user might upgrade their operating system to the latest version.
A photographer might upgrade their camera to one with better features.
A website owner might upgrade their hosting plan to handle more traffic.

16. Revisit

To review or examine something again, often with the intention of making changes or improvements.

For example, a writer might say, “I need to revisit that paragraph and make it more concise.”
In a team meeting, someone might suggest, “Let’s revisit the project timeline and see if any adjustments are needed.”
A photographer might decide to revisit a location to capture a different angle or lighting.

17. Enhance

To make something better or more effective, often by adding or improving certain elements.

For instance, a graphic designer might enhance an image by adjusting the colors and adding filters.
A video editor might enhance the audio quality by removing background noise and adjusting the levels.
In a discussion about website design, someone might suggest, “We should enhance the user experience by adding more interactive elements.”

18. Modify

To make changes or alterations to something, typically with the goal of improving or adapting it.

For example, a programmer might modify a piece of code to fix a bug or add new functionality.
A fashion designer might modify a dress pattern to better fit a specific body type.
In a conversation about a document, someone might suggest, “Let’s modify the formatting to make it more visually appealing.”

19. Fix

To mend or resolve a problem or issue, often by making necessary adjustments or corrections.

For instance, a mechanic might fix a car engine by replacing a faulty part.
A proofreader might fix grammar and spelling errors in a written document.
In a discussion about a software bug, someone might say, “We need to fix that glitch before releasing the update.”

20. Edit

To make changes or corrections to a piece of content, such as a document, video, or photo, with the intention of improving or refining it.

For example, a writer might edit a manuscript by removing unnecessary paragraphs and rephrasing sentences.
A film editor might edit a scene by rearranging shots and adding special effects.
In a conversation about a blog post, someone might ask, “Who will be responsible for editing the content before it’s published?”

21. Cut down

This term refers to the act of reducing the length or amount of something, typically in the context of editing written or visual content.

For example, a writer might be advised to “cut down” on unnecessary details in their article.
In a film editing context, a director might say, “We need to cut down this scene to make the pacing faster.”
A content creator might ask for feedback on their video and say, “Can you help me cut down this footage to make it more concise?”

22. Tailor

In the context of editing, “tailor” means to customize or modify something to fit specific needs or preferences.

For instance, an editor might “tailor” a resume to highlight specific skills for a particular job application.
A designer might “tailor” a website layout to match a client’s branding.
In a video editing context, someone might say, “We need to tailor this promotional video for different social media platforms.”

23. Re-edit

This term refers to the act of editing something again, typically to make improvements or address feedback.

For example, a writer might need to “re-edit” their manuscript after receiving suggestions from an editor.
In a photography context, someone might say, “I’m not happy with this photo, I need to re-edit it.”
A filmmaker might “re-edit” a scene based on audience reactions during test screenings.

24. Cleanse

In the context of editing, “cleanse” means to remove or eliminate unwanted elements or errors from a piece of content.

For instance, an editor might “cleanse” a document of spelling and grammar mistakes.
In a video editing context, someone might “cleanse” a footage by removing background noise or enhancing the audio quality.
A content moderator might “cleanse” a forum thread by removing inappropriate or offensive comments.

25. Spruce up

This term refers to the act of improving or enhancing the quality or appearance of something through editing.

For example, a graphic designer might “spruce up” a website by adding visually appealing elements.
In a writing context, someone might “spruce up” their blog post by adding more engaging headlines or images.
A video editor might “spruce up” a video by applying color correction and adding special effects.

26. Overhaul

To completely redesign or restructure something, often with the intention of improving it. “Overhaul” implies a significant and thorough change.

For example, “We need to overhaul the website to make it more user-friendly.”
In a discussion about a business strategy, someone might suggest, “Let’s overhaul our marketing plan to target a different audience.”
A person evaluating a car might say, “The engine needs an overhaul to improve its performance.”

27. Rewrite

To make changes or corrections to a piece of writing, often with the intention of improving its clarity, accuracy, or style. “Rewrite” suggests a more extensive revision than simply editing or proofreading.

For instance, a teacher might tell a student, “You need to rewrite this essay to address the prompt more effectively.”
In a professional setting, a manager might ask an employee, “Can you rewrite this report to make it more concise and focused?”
A writer might decide, “I need to rewrite the ending of my novel to create a stronger impact.”

28. Edit out

To delete or exclude certain parts of a piece of content, typically to improve its quality or relevance. “Edit out” specifically refers to the act of removing unnecessary or unwanted elements.

For example, a film editor might say, “We need to edit out that scene because it slows down the pacing.”
In a discussion about a written article, someone might suggest, “Let’s edit out this paragraph because it doesn’t contribute to the main point.”
A person giving feedback on a presentation might advise, “You should edit out some of the slides to make the presentation more concise.”

29. Revitalize

To give new life or energy to something that has become tired, stale, or uninteresting. “Revitalize” suggests a process of rejuvenation or revitalization.

For instance, a company might say, “We need to revitalize our brand to appeal to a younger demographic.”
In a discussion about a neighborhood, someone might propose, “Let’s revitalize this park by adding new amenities and hosting community events.”
A person evaluating a website might comment, “The design needs to be revitalized to make it more modern and engaging.”

30. Rejig

To rearrange or reorganize something, often with the intention of improving its structure or efficiency. “Rejig” is a colloquial term that implies making adjustments or changes.

For example, a project manager might say, “We need to rejig the timeline to accommodate the new requirements.”
In a discussion about a business process, someone might suggest, “Let’s rejig the workflow to eliminate unnecessary steps.”
A person organizing their closet might decide, “I need to rejig the shelves to make better use of the space.”