inscribe

American  

[in-skrahyb] / ɪnˈskraɪb /

verb (used with object)

inscribed, inscribing

1. to address or dedicate (a book, photograph, etc.) informally to a person, especially by writing a brief personal note in or on it.

2. to mark (a surface) with words, characters, etc., especially in a durable or conspicuous way.

3. to write, print, mark, or engrave (words, characters, etc.).

4. to enroll, as on an official list.

5. Geometry. to draw or delineate (one figure) within another figure so that the inner lies entirely within the boundary of the outer, touching it at as many points as possible.

   to inscribe a circle in a square.

6. British.

   1. to issue (a loan) in the form of shares with registered stockholders.

   2. to sell (stocks).

   3. to buy (stocks).

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inscribe British  

/ ɪnˈskraɪb /

verb

1. to make, carve, or engrave (writing, letters, a design, etc) on (a surface such as wood, stone, or paper)

2. to enter (a name) on a list or in a register

3. to sign one's name on (a book, photograph, etc) before presentation to another person

4. to draw (a geometric construction such as a circle, polygon, etc) inside another construction so that the two are in contact but do not intersect Compare circumscribe

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Other Word Forms

• inscribable adjective
• inscribableness noun
• inscriber noun
• preinscribe verb (used with object)
• reinscribe verb (used with object)
• superinscribe verb (used with object)
• uninscribed adjective

Etymology

Origin of inscribe

1545–55; < Latin inscrībere, equivalent to in- in- ² + scrībere to write; scribe ¹

Example Sentences

Depending on the magnitude of the game, and of the challenge, Burruss would name the cast after a mountain peak, and use a Sharpie to inscribe the cast accordingly.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

Multibeam has already demonstrated the capability to inscribe 8-inch wafers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025

"Mr Onakoya is a symbol of excellence and resilience that distinguish Nigerians both at home and abroad... Go, make history, and inscribe our name in gold," Nigeria's Vice-President Kashim Shettima posted on X.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2024

Over a period of six weeks, Heywood and Land roll and cut the clay, inscribe the disc with the honoree’s name and accomplishments, then apply the characteristic blue glaze and fire it in a kiln.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2023

He wished he could dip the quill into the inkpot and inscribe letters and draw pictures such as Brother Luke had done.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

Related Words

• carve
• engrave
• etch