editor
editor
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling:
/ˈɛdɪtər/
Syllable Breakdown:
Ed-: /ˈɛd/
/ɛ/ - as in "bet"
/d/ - as in "dog"
i-: /ɪ/
/ɪ/ - as in "sit"
tor: /tər/
/t/ - as in "top"
/ər/ - as in "butter" (schwa + r-colored vowel)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: editor
Plural Noun: editors
Verb (related): edit
Present Participle (related): editing
Past Tense (related): edited
Past Participle (related): edited
Noun (related, action/process): editing
Adjective (related): editorial
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A person who is responsible for the content and final form of a publication, such as a newspaper, magazine, book, or digital media, ensuring its accuracy, clarity, and adherence to specific standards or styles.
Synonyms: publisher, compiler, reviser, redactor
Antonyms: writer (in the sense of the original author, not the one who refines), contributor (implies creation, not refinement)
Definition 2: A person who prepares film, video, or audio material for presentation by selecting, arranging, and modifying the raw footage or recordings.
Synonyms: cutter, film editor, video editor, sound editor
Antonyms: cinematographer (captures footage), sound recordist (records sound)
Definition 3: A software program or tool that allows users to create, modify, or enhance digital files, particularly text, images, or code.
Synonyms: word processor, image editor, code editor, text editor
Antonyms: viewer (only allows viewing, not modification)
Examples of Use
Books:
"The dedication page of The Great Gatsby acknowledges Maxwell Perkins, Fitzgerald's long-time editor at Scribner's, for his invaluable contributions to the novel's development."
"As a literary editor, she spent her days sifting through countless manuscripts, always on the lookout for the next great American novel."
Newspapers:
"The New York Times announced a new executive editor to oversee its digital transformation efforts." (Associated Press)
"In an opinion piece, the newspaper's editor-in-chief defended the publication's stance on local political issues."
Online Publications:
"Wired.com's senior editor for culture wrote an insightful piece on the latest trends in artificial intelligence."
"Seeking a dynamic copy editor to join our fast-paced remote team, ensuring all web content is grammatically sound and adheres to style guides." (LinkedIn job posting)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "At the Academy Awards, Thelma Schoonmaker, Martin Scorsese's long-time editor, won her third Oscar for Best Film Editing for The Departed."
Television: "During the post-production phase of the new Netflix series, the video editor meticulously pieced together hundreds of hours of footage into compelling episodes."
Video Games: "Many modern video games include a level editor that allows players to create and share their own custom maps and scenarios."
Podcasts: "Our podcast team is looking for a skilled audio editor to enhance sound quality and assemble episodes for weekly release."
General Public Discourse:
"I sent my manuscript to an independent editor for a final review before submitting it to publishing houses."
"The online forum has a dedicated team of volunteer editors who moderate discussions and ensure community guidelines are followed."
"He landed his first job out of college as an assistant editor at a small publishing house, learning the ropes of the industry."
10 Quotes Using Editor
"An editor is a person who knows more about what he doesn't want than what he does want." (Walter Benjamin)
"The editor is a man who knows what he wants, but he just doesn't know how to get it." (Stanley Kubrick)
"I'm an editor. I'm not a writer. But I can make a writer better." (Max Perkins)
"A good editor is a good listener. He knows when to cut and when to keep." (Robert Redford)
"My editor told me, 'We need to make this book shorter.' So I cut out the entire middle section." (Stephen King)
"The best editor is the one who makes you feel like you did it all yourself." (Arthur C. Clarke)
"I believe in the power of the editor to improve a text. I do not believe in the power of the editor to write a text." (Umberto Eco)
"An editor's job is to make a writer look good, not to make himself look good." (Anonymous editorial adage)
"The ideal editor is a silent partner." (Ernest Hemingway)
"A good editor can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse." (Traditional saying)
Etymology
The word "editor" comes from Latin! It has roots in the Latin verb edere, which means "to put forth" or "to publish." This verb itself is made up of two parts:
ex-: meaning "out" or "forth"
dare: meaning "to give"
So, edere literally meant "to give out" or "to put forth."
From edere, we got the Latin word editor, which meant "publisher" or "one who puts forth."
When the word "editor" first appeared in English, it was around the 17th century (specifically, the early 1600s). At that time, its primary meaning was someone who prepared a literary work for publication, or literally, a "publisher." Over time, the meaning broadened to include someone who revises, corrects, and prepares any material for public presentation, whether it's text, film, or audio.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Editor
Editor's cut: Refers to the version of a film, video, or publication that the editor considers final, often implying their artistic vision or the most refined version.
Editor-in-chief: The highest-ranking editor of a publication, responsible for all editorial content and decisions.
To wear the editor's hat: To take on the role or responsibilities of an editor, even if it's not one's official title. (Lesser-known, more metaphorical use)
Copy editor's eye: To have a keen attention to detail for grammar, spelling, and style, as a copy editor would. (Lesser-known, descriptive)
The editor's desk: Refers to the office or purview of an editor, often implying where content is reviewed and decided upon.
Under the editor's knife: (Similar to "under the scalpel") Implies a piece of writing or media is undergoing significant, sometimes harsh, revisions by an editor. (Lesser-known, slightly more figurative)
To go to press (with the editor's approval): A common phrase in publishing, indicating that the final version has been approved and is ready for printing.
To polish the prose (like a reviser/redactor): (Using a synonym, "reviser" or "redactor") To meticulously refine and improve written work.
To be in charge of the blue pencil: (Using a tool associated with editors) To be responsible for editing and making corrections to text.
The compiler's meticulous work: (Using a synonym, "compiler") Highlighting the careful and precise effort involved in assembling and organizing information, often for publication.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of editor from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
