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 ( 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

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

It was so terribly boring that even I could not proofread it without falling asleep.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2025

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

From Seattle Times • Mar. 12, 2024

Henry stood behind Francis’s chair and leaned over his shoulder and began to proofread the top of the last page, one elbow resting on the table.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt