bowdlerize

especially British, bowd·ler·ise

[bohd-luh-rahyz, boud-]

verb (used with object)

bowdlerized, bowdlerizing 

1. to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.

bowdlerize

/ ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to remove passages or words regarded as indecent from (a play, novel, etc); expurgate

Other Word Forms

• bowdlerizer noun
• bowdlerism noun
• bowdlerization noun
• unbowdlerized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bowdlerize¹

1830–40; after Thomas Bowdler (1754–1825), English editor of an expurgated edition of Shakespeare

Word History and Origins

Origin of bowdlerize¹

C19: after Thomas Bowdler (1754–1825), English editor who published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare

Example Sentences

The debate over what to do with vile language and attitudes in old classics is as polarizing as any culture-war issue — especially in light of the recent decision to bowdlerize Roald Dahl.

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But, as Samartzis admitted with a grin, bowdlerizing wind from the breeziest place in the world wasn’t very authentic.

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Bowdler’s work fell out of print, his name forgotten except as a synonym for all the purse-lipped virtue vandals who would “bowdlerize” great books in the name of protecting children.

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In most of these entertainments, though, the animals primarily come across as people in cutesy, bowdlerized animal drag.

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Yet Brice, knowing all that, still adored him, which makes a far more interesting tale than the bowdlerized one the show offers, of a duped woman finally and regretfully seeing the light.

Read more on New York Times