proofread
UK: ˈpruːfriːd | US: ˈpruːfriːd
vt. to read and correct errors in a written or printed text
vt. to examine text for accuracy or quality before publication
proofread = proof<test/verify> + read<examine text>
- proof (from Old French prove, meaning "test/verify")
- read (from Old English rǣdan, meaning "examine text")
Etymology Origin:
The word proofread emerged in the late 19th century, combining proof (referring to a test print or verification stage in publishing) and read. Historically, printers would create a "proof" copy for final review before mass production, and proofreading became the act of meticulously checking this copy for errors. The term retains its literal sense of verifying written content through careful examination.
She proofread the manuscript before submitting it to the publisher.
Always proofread your emails to avoid embarrassing mistakes.
The editor spent hours proofreading the legal document.
He asked a colleague to proofread his research paper for grammatical errors.
Automated tools can help, but human proofreading is still essential for quality control.