proofread

American  

[proof-reed] / ˈprufˌrid /

verb (used with object)

proofread, proofreading

1. to read (printers' proofs, copy, etc.) in order to detect and mark errors to be corrected.

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verb (used without object)

proofread, proofreading

1. to read printers' proofs, copy, etc., to detect and mark errors, especially as an employee of a typesetting firm, newspaper office, or publishing house.

proofread British  

/ ˈpruːfˌriːd /

verb

1. to read (copy or printer's proofs) to detect and mark errors to be corrected

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Other Word Forms

• proofreader noun
• unproofread adjective

Etymology

Origin of proofread

1930–35; back formation from proofreader ( see proof, read ¹)

Explanation

To proofread is to look over a piece of writing for errors, watching out for spelling mistakes and grammar problems. If you don’t proofread your work, you might write “ham” instead of “harm” and confuse the heck out of your reader. By the time you proofread a piece of writing, it should be almost done. It’s the very last step of the writing process after drafting, editing, and revising. To proofread is to look at the little details of a piece of writing, such as spelling, word choice, formatting, and sentence structure. When you proofread, you look for errors and fix them. You can proofread your own work, but sometimes it’s good to get someone else to proofread what you've written.

Example Sentences

It’s a clear no, with the only exceptions being when editors use A.I. to proofread their writing or translate foreign-language entries.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

“We still need to proofread every chart it creates” — thus acknowledging, accurately, that AI can increase, not relieve, users’ workloads.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Kaspar did a Q&A for the Sophia’s Cure YouTube channel from the Gaynors’ dining room and proofread posts Vincent wrote for the charity’s website.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2025

A nurse hadn’t proofread carefully and mistakenly sent the message.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 12, 2024

“It just seems like one thing I could help you with. To make up for all the pencils I’ve borrowed. All the times you’ve proofread my essays and reminded me about quizzes.”

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison