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

The most prominent bit of imagery in Fly Now (2022) is the front of an airplane with its door open and boarding stairs at the ready; the name koether is inscribed on the fuselage next to the door. — Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Eight handwoven silk carpets, each inscribed with Quranic verses, hang like royal tapestries. — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026

The stones in the walkway can be removed and inscribed with the names of those lost. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2026

Days later, his family all got tattoos that would permanently inscribe Grant on their bodies as enduring tributes. — Susan Young, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 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