reprint
B2Neutral (used in formal and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
To print something again; a new printed copy of an already published work.
A second or subsequent printing of a publication, sometimes with corrections; to reproduce printed material. In business and publishing, to issue again.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Reprint" can refer both to the action (verb) and the resulting product (noun). In publishing, it implies the original material remains largely unchanged, distinct from a new edition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. In publishing, "reprint" is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties, indicating reproduction.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in professional (publishing, academic) contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reprint somethingreprint a book/articlebe reprintedreprint from (a source)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's just a reprint. (implies lack of new material)”
- “in reprint (currently being reprinted)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The marketing department ordered a reprint of the successful brochure.
Academic
I cited the 1998 reprint of the classic 1921 text.
Everyday
This isn't the original comic; it's a modern reprint.
Technical
The offset press is set up for a 5000-copy reprint run.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- I found a 1970s reprint of the Dickens novel in a charity shop.
- This is not a first edition; it's a much later reprint.
American English
- The library has the 2015 reprint of that textbook.
- He collects first printings, not reprints.
verb
British English
- The publisher decided to reprint the novel due to public demand.
- Can you reprint the invoice, please? The original got coffee on it.
American English
- The university press will reprint the professor's seminal paper.
- They're reprinting the user manual with the updated safety warnings.
adjective
British English
- This is a reprint edition, so it lacks the original's colour plates.
American English
- Check the copyright page for the reprint date.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My favourite book was old, so my mum bought a new reprint.
- The shop only had a reprint of the map, but it was still useful.
- The author was pleased to hear her out-of-print essays would be reprinted.
- This academic journal allows you to request a reprint of any article for personal use.
- The subtle variations in the typeface betrayed the fact that it was a late 19th-century reprint, not an original incunabulum.
- They secured the rights to reprint the entire series in a single, annotated volume.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RE-PRINT: think of the prefix 're-' (again) + 'print' (to produce text on paper). It's simply printing something again.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION AS A PHYSICAL OBJECT THAT CAN BE COPIED AND REDISTRIBUTED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque "перепечатка" as the primary equivalent; "переиздание" (reissue) is often closer. "Reprint" does not mean to print out from a computer printer (for that, use 'print out').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'reprint' to mean 'rewrite' or 'edit'.
- Confusing 'reprint' with 'replica' (which is a copy of any object).
- Saying 'reprint again' (redundant).
Practice
Quiz
In publishing, what is the main difference between a 'reprint' and a 'new edition'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though traditionally for physical prints, it is now commonly used for PDFs or online articles that are republished or made available again in the same form.
Not exactly. A 'reprint' is a new batch of printing from the original source, often identical. A 'copy' can be a single duplicate made by various means (e.g., photocopy, digital copy).
Not necessarily. A reprint can be ordered while a work is still in print to meet high demand. However, it often refers to bringing an out-of-print work back into availability.
In book collecting, the clear opposite is a 'first edition' or the 'original printing'. A reprint usually has less collectible value.