"Bowdlerize" Pronounce,Meaning And Examples

"Bowdlerize" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers

Bowdlerize

"Bowdlerize" Meaning

To bowdlerize means to edit or censor something, especially a book or a piece of writing, in order to make it more suitable for general public consumption by removing or modifying parts that are considered offensive, obscene, or controversial. The term is named after Thomas Bowdler, an English physician who published a version of Shakespeare's plays in the early 19th century that he claimed was more suitable for family reading.

"Bowdlerize" Examples

5 Examples of the Word "Bowdlerize"

Example 1: Editing a Novel for a Young Audience

The publisher asked the editor to bowdlerize the popular novel to remove graphic violence and offensive language, making it suitable for young readers.

Example 2: Removing Obscene Material from a Script

The film director instructed his team to bowdlerize the script by omitting some of the more explicit dialogue to make it more appropriate for a family audience.

Example 3: Censuring a Play for a Puritan Audience

In the 19th century, the playwright was forced to bowdlerize his work to appease the Puritan critics who demanded the removal of certain themes and characters they deemed immoral.

Example 4: Removing Sensational Material from a News Report

The journalist had to bowdlerize the news article to avoid sensationalism and meet the standards of a reputable news organization, while still conveying the essential information.

Example 5: Editing a Racy Novel for a Literary Magazine

The literary magazine requested that the author bowdlerize the novel to make it more suitable for its readers, who were predominantly conservative and literary enthusiasts.

"Bowdlerize" Similar Words

Bowdler

Bowdler refers to the act of censoring or expurgating parts of a book, play, or other written work considered to be offensive, obscene, or immoral, often by removing or modifying explicit language, scenes, or descriptions. This term originated from Thomas Bowdler, an English physician who published a version of Shakespeare's plays with many of the more objectionable phrases removed, thereby creating a more "family-friendly" adaptation. As a result, the verb "to bowdlerize" means to modify or edit written work to make it more acceptable to a wider audience, often by removing offending content.

Bowdlerisation

Bowdlerisation is the process of modifying or censoring written or spoken text, usually to make it less offensive or explicit, by removing or altering words, phrases, or passages considered inappropriate or unrelated to the main topic. The term originates from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English physician who, along with his sister, edited and censored Shakespeare's plays to make them more suitable for women and children, removing any offending language or content.

Bowdlerise

Bowdlerise (verb): to edit or abridge (a book, article, or other written work) to make it less offensive or scandalous, often by removing or modifying passages that are considered inappropriate or offensive.

Bowdlerised

Bowdlerised refers to a revised or expurgated version of a text, typically a book or play, in which offensive or explicit content has been removed or toned down to make it less offensive or suitable for a wider audience. This is often done to make the material more acceptable for children, women, or people with conservative tastes. The term originates from Thomas Bowdler, an English doctor who published a censored edition of Shakespeare's plays in the early 19th century. Despite the rather negative connotations, bowdlerisation is often used to make art and literature more accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience.

Bowdlerises

Bowdlerises is a verb that means to censor or edit something, especially literature, to make it more suitable for a wider audience by removing offensive or explicit material. The word is derived from the name of Thomas Bowdler, who published a sanitized version of Shakespeare's plays in the 19th century. Today, the term is often used to describe the process of editing out mature themes, profanity, or graphic content to make a work more family-friendly or acceptable to a broader audience.

Bowdlerising

Bowdlerising refers to the act of editing or censoring a text, film, or other medium to make it more acceptable or suitable for a general audience, particularly by removing or modifying explicit or offensive content. The term originates from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English clergyman who published a version of Shakespeare's plays in 1818 that had the more violent and sexual passages omitted.

Bowdlerism

Bowdlerism refers to the practice of altering or expurgating a text, typically literary or literary-inspired, to make it less offensive, scandalous, or inappropriate, often by omitting or censoring explicit or suggestive content. This term was coined after Thomas Bowdler, an English doctor who published a version of Shakespeare's plays with many of the more questionable passages omitted or altered, resulting in a watered-down and more family-friendly edition.

Bowdlerization

Bowdlerization refers to the act or process of editing or expurgating a text, speech, or other material to make it more acceptable or palatable to a wider audience by removing or censoring parts that are considered offensive, indecent, or sensitive. This process is often done to avoid controversy, offend fewer people, or make the material more suitable for a particular age group or cultural context. The term "bowdlerization" originated from the surname of Thomas Bowdler, an English physician who edited Shakespeare's plays to remove what he considered to be offensive language and content, making them more suitable for family reading.

Bowdlerizes

To bowdlerize means to censor or edit a written or spoken work, especially by removing words or phrases that are considered offensive, impolite, or inappropriate, often to make it more acceptable to a wider audience or to conform to social norms. It typically involves the removal of explicit language, violence, or other mature themes. The term "bowdlerize" comes from the name of Dr. Thomas Bowdler, an English physician who published a version of William Shakespeare's plays in the early 19th century, removing what he considered to be objectionable language and content.