rewrite

American  

[ree-rahyt, ree-rahyt] / riˈraɪt, ˈriˌraɪt /

verb (used with object)

rewrote, rewritten, rewriting

1. to write in a different form or manner; revise.

   to rewrite the entire book.

2. to write again.

3. to write (news submitted by a reporter) for inclusion in a newspaper.

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noun

1. the news story rewritten.

2. something written in a different form or manner; revision.

   They loved the rewrite, and said it would be a blockbuster!

rewrite British  

verb

1. to write (written material) again, esp changing the words or form

2. computing to return (data) to a store when it has been erased during reading

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noun

1. something rewritten

Other Word Forms

• rewriter noun

Etymology

Origin of rewrite

First recorded in 1560–70; re- + write

Example Sentences

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. has framed the initiative as an incremental modernization of post-trade plumbing rather than a wholesale rewrite of market structure, with an initial rollout targeted for the second half of 2026.

From MarketWatch

The Fed plans to rewrite rules put in place after the financial crisis of 2008 that effectively moved much of the business of mortgage origination to nonbanks, she said.

From MarketWatch

“I didn’t get one. Maybe she’s just playing a trick on you—remember, she wanted to rewrite that letter on Saturday, to make it a better prank.”

From Literature

That a derivative is novel or different is no excuse for a court to rewrite existing law.

From The Wall Street Journal

Long condemned as a traitor, Malinche is being reimagined as a brilliant Indigenous survivor whose intelligence and resilience helped shape Mexico, amid a feminist and cultural reckoning that is rewriting her place in history.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• edit
• rework