blue-pencil

[ bloo-pen-suhl ]

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.

blue pencil

noun

1. deletion, alteration, or censorship of the contents of a book or other work

verb

1. tr to alter or delete parts of (a book, film, etc), esp to censor

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue-pencil¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Then my secretary types up my material, prints it out, and then I revise using a 0.7 mm blue pencil.

From The Daily Beast

The prince took up the pamphlet which he had been busy underlining with red and blue pencil.

From Project Gutenberg

Sunday newspaper specials came home with "return" written in blue pencil across the neatly typed page.

From Project Gutenberg

He selected the eggs with great care, marking some very choice ones with a blue pencil.

From Project Gutenberg

You have not written a single letter since you came here—only a post-card, and that you wrote with a blue pencil.

From Project Gutenberg

"Dig up some sand, pard, and fling it into the cinder-sifter while I write out the caution in blue pencil," said Stanley.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alter
• amend
• compare
• cut
• develop
• improve
• modify
• overhaul
• reconsider
• reexamine
• reorganize
• revamp
• review
• rework
• rewrite
• scrutinize
• tighten
• update
• upgrade