What does xeroxing mean?
Xeroxing is the act of making a copy of a document, photograph, or other material with a photocopier. The word comes from the same source as “xerography,” a name built from Greek roots meaning “dry writing,” because the process uses dry toner rather than wet ink or chemical developers. In modern English, “xeroxing” is usually used for office and administrative copying, as in “xeroxing applications” or “xeroxing a contract.” Although “photocopying” is more formal and increasingly preferred, “xeroxing” remains familiar and is still common in everyday workplace language. As an -ing form, it can function as either a gerund or a present participle: “She was xeroxing documents” and “She is xeroxing documents” describe the activity in progress. The term is also an example of a trademark-derived word that became established as a general vocabulary item for the process of making photocopies.
verbXeroxing means making a copy of a document or other material using a photocopier. It can also refer to reproducing materials by this process.
- To make a copy of a document or other material using a photocopier.
"She spent the afternoon xeroxing applications for the scholarship program."
"The office is still xeroxing the forms before sending them to the agency."
"They were xeroxing old contracts and storing the copies in labeled folders."
Xeroxing comes from Greek roots meaning “dry writing,” a reference to the dry toner used in photocopiers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of xeroxing
The word belongs to the family of “xerography,” whose name combines the Greek “xeros,” meaning “dry,” with “graphein,” meaning “to write.” The reference is to the dry toner process used in photocopiers. The commercial name associated with the process was formed from this term and subsequently came to be used for the machine and for the act of copying. English relatives include “xerography,” “xerographic,” and “xerographer.”
Related word forms
How xeroxing is actually used
“Xeroxing” is widely understood in both British and American English, although “photocopying” is more formal and is often preferred in professional or official contexts. The word can sound somewhat dated, but it remains common in administrative and office speech.