inscribe

1 of 3

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

inscriber

2 of 3

noun (1)

in·​scrib·​er

-bə(r)

: one that inscribes

inscriber

3 of 3

noun (2)

in·​scrib·​er

ˈinzˌkrībə(r), 

ˈinˌsk-

: a device for transferring data from a punched tape onto a medium (as magnetic wire) for use in an electronic computer compare outscriber

Synonyms of inscribe

Verb

• etch
• engrave
• carve

Examples of inscribe in a Sentence

Verb

They inscribed the monument with the soldiers' names.

The book was inscribed with the author's signature.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Seven years ago, a group of Black families had the old developments inscribed on the National Register of Historic Places, hoping to hold back the tide. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

This double standard—under which players may not inscribe Bible verses on hats for one game only but may wear 'Black Lives Matter' patches for one game only—calls MLB’s true motives into question and raises serious concerns about MLB’s compliance with Title VII. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026

Starting pitcher Landen Roupp and relievers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker inscribed a message on their hats, sparking significant controversy on during the game and in the days since. — Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 16 June 2026

At that time, archaeologists uncovered sections of the building as well as a water pipe inscribed with the family name, Umbrius. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun (2)

probably from in- (from input) + -scriber (from transcriber)

First Known Use

Verb

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