revise
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to change or improve a piece of writing, a plan, or an idea.
v.to review and alter something, such as a manuscript or policy, in order to improve it or bring it up to date.
Simple“The author had to revise the final chapter after her editor suggested a better ending.”
In context“The committee decided to revise the safety guidelines following the publication of the new environmental impact report.”
UsageTransitive; requires a direct object such as a document, plan, or estimate.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to read and study work you have already done to prepare for a test.
v.to review previously learned material in preparation for an examination.
Simple“I need to stay home tonight and revise for my history exam tomorrow.”
In context“Students are encouraged to revise their lecture notes weekly rather than cramming everything into the final few days before finals.”
UsageOften used intransitively with 'for', or transitively with 'notes' or 'subjects' as the object.
Teacher's tipThis sense is standard in British, Australian, and New Zealand English; American English speakers almost exclusively use 'review' or 'study' for this purpose.
PitfallI am going to review for my test. I am going to revise for my test.In British English, 'revise' is the standard term for exam preparation; 'review' is more common in American English.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a new version of a printed page that shows the corrections made to the first version.
n.a second or subsequent proof sheet taken after corrections have been made to the previous version.
Simple“The editor sent the first revise back to the printer to check the new margins.”
In context“After the author spotted several typos in the initial galleys, the publisher provided a clean revise for final approval.”
UsageCountable noun used primarily within the printing and publishing industries.
Synonyms
Borrowed from Middle French réviser, from Latin revīsō, from re- + vīsō (“examine”), frequentative of videō (“see”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.