inscribe

verb

in·​scribe in-ˈskrīb 

inscribed; inscribing; inscribes

transitive verb

1

a

: to write, engrave, or print as a lasting record

b

: to enter on a list : enroll

2

a

: to write, engrave, or print characters upon

b

: to autograph or address (a book) as a gift

3

: to dedicate to someone

4

: to draw within a figure so as to touch in as many places as possible

a regular polygon inscribed in a circle

5

British : to register the name of the holder of (a security)

inscriber noun

Synonyms of inscribe

• etch
• engrave
• carve

Examples of inscribe in a Sentence

They inscribed the monument with the soldiers' names.

The book was inscribed with the author's signature.

Recent Examples on the Web

Key Background The iconic diamond was originally a gift from Mughal emperor Shah Jahangir, who ruled from 1605 to 1627, to his wife Nur Jahan, whose name is inscribed on the pendant’s surface. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Each of the 22 pages, about the size of those in a typical hardcover book, is inscribed on both sides with easily visible black and faded-brown words written by the monks. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026

Those firefighters whose names are inscribed on the wall are Frank Schilsky (12/18/1987), Dean Cherry (8/22/2002), Ryan Reed (8/25/2007), Kenny Krulish (1/22/2013), Garrett Opper (4/27/2022), Matt Martin (8/21/2022) and Brandon Estes (10/2/2022). —Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 16 Jan. 2026

The president seemed to be heading toward political exile, his election claims destined to be inscribed in history as treasonous lies. —Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inscribere, from in- + scribere to write — more at scribe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for inscribe

• ascribe
• describe
• imbibe
• prescribe
• proscribe
• subscribe
• transcribe
• bribe
• gibe
• jibe
• tribe
• vibe

Kids Definition

inscribe

verb

in·​scribe in-ˈskrīb 

inscribed; inscribing

1

a

: to write, engrave, or print as a lasting record

inscribe a name on a monument

b

: to enter on a list : enroll

2

: to write, engrave, or print something on or in

inscribe a locket

3

: to dedicate to someone

inscribe a poem

4

: to draw within a figure so as to touch in as many places as possible

a hexagon inscribed in a circle

inscriber noun

Legal Definition

inscribe

transitive verb

in·​scribe

inscribed; inscribing

: to set down in writing (as the terms of a mortgage) to create a lasting public record

inscription noun