Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

blue-pencil

[bloo-pen-suh l]
See more synonyms for blue-pencil on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), blue-pen·ciled, blue-pen·cil·ing or (especially British) blue-pen·cilled, blue-pen·cil·ling.
  1. to alter, abridge, or cancel with or as with a pencil that has blue lead, as in editing a manuscript.
Show More

Origin of blue-pencil

First recorded in 1885–90
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for blue pencil

restriction, suppression, blackout, invalidate, annul, veto, void, undo, abolish, restrict, quash, offset, negate, abrogate, repeal, rescind, torpedo, annihilate, expunge, exterminate
British Dictionary definitions for blue pencil

blue pencil

noun
  1. deletion, alteration, or censorship of the contents of a book or other work
Show More
verb blue-pencil -cils, -cilling or -cilled or US -cils, -ciling or -ciled
  1. (tr) to alter or delete parts of (a book, film, etc), esp to censor
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012