clean copy
Error-free typed document
Clean copy is a manuscript or document free of errors, corrections, or markup—ready for submission or publication.
In publishing and journalism, writers produce clean copy after revision: The editor asked for a clean copy by Friday.
The term contrasts with rough drafts full of tracked changes, crossed-out passages, or editorial annotations.
- paperPressed pulp for writing
- manuscriptOriginal text before publication
- crispFirm and breakable
- draftPreliminary version of text
- first passInitial attempt at something
unmarked · smooth · proofreading · original · camera-ready · writing · text · document · version · finalizing · accuracy · fresh · editing · white · blank page · revision · track changes · red pen
- prepublicationgalley, galley proof, galleys, proofs, page proof
- clarityclearness, clear, obvious, simplification, concise
- editingediting, cut, paste, delete, undo
clean copyfirst draft
Earliest written version
rough draft · initial draft · working draft · work in progress · working copy
clean, copy, cleans, cleaned, cleaning, cleaner, cleaners, cleanest, cleanly