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 plan is not binding but serves as a statement of the administration's priorities as Congress begins drafting spending legislation, with lawmakers retaining the power to rewrite or reject it.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The expected tariff changes would come after months of deliberations inside the administration over how to rewrite steel and aluminum tariffs to simplify compliance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The agent managed to rewrite its own code to avoid the kill switch, then posted about the blocking.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

When Idle penned his own rewrite, he recalled thinking, “Woof, I like this.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

“You can’t rewrite what happened, no matter what you do. None of us can. Whatever happened is what happened,” he finishes.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• edit
• rework