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Definition of proofread

proofread

/ˈpruːf.riːd/
proof · read
Past Simple:proofread
•
Past Participle:proofread
•
Present Participle:proofreading
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proofread Lexical Profile

proofread Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To read and mark corrections in a written text or printer's proof in order to detect and fix errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, or formatting.

Example

"Please proofread your essay carefully before submitting the final draft to the professor."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for proofread

Word Nuance & Usage

Because 'proofread' is a compound derived from the irregular verb 'read', its past tense and past participle are spelled identically ('proofread') but pronounced with a short 'e' sound (/ˈpruːf.rɛd/). It is distinct from copyediting, which focuses on improving style and flow rather than just catching surface errors in spelling, punctuation, and formatting.

• Nearby Words

proofer
proofing
proofless
proofread
proofreader
proofreading
prop

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-19th century as a back-formation from the noun 'proofreader', combining 'proof' (in the printing sense of a trial impression of a page) and 'read'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Proofread. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/proofread
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