inscribe

[ in-skrahyb ]

verb (used with object)

, in·scribed, in·scrib·ing.

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).

inscribe

/ 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

Derived Forms

• inˈscribable, adjective
• inˈscriber, noun
• inˈscribableness, noun

Other Words From

• in·scriba·ble adjective
• in·scriba·ble·ness noun
• in·scriber noun
• prein·scribe verb (used with object) preinscribed preinscribing
• rein·scribe verb (used with object) reinscribed reinscribing
• super·in·scribe verb (used with object) superinscribed superinscribing
• unin·scribed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inscribe¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of inscribe¹

C16: from Latin inscrībere; see inscription

Example Sentences

"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

The Wolfpack did the same as the ‘83 squad, staring down a weekend’s worth of must-win games in the ACC Tournament simply to qualify for the NCAAs. That ‘83 squad might have been the first to inscribe “Cinderella” into the March Madness dictionary, though it’s hardly the only team that rode momentum and dreams en route to a championship no one saw coming.

From Seattle Times

Yet if all symbols are created equal, and only differentiated by the meanings societies inscribe upon them, then why are some individuals drawn to the Siegrune symbol, which repulses so many—drawn to it to the point that they’d be willing to pay an additional premium for it?

From Slate

In “Coming to a Lighter Place,” from 1988, the round warbling lines that are AARON’s constant signature inscribe swooshing figures daubed in shades of mustard and powder blue, a spindly forest jolted with tangerine and fuchsia.

From New York Times

The Ohio referendum to inscribe reproductive rights into the state constitution passed by 13 points, a hugely consequential victory for Ohioans and activists working to fight reproductive tyranny.

From Slate

Related Words

• carve
• engrave
• etch