Words with the root scrib/script
scrib/script means “write”, from Latinscribere.
16 examples of the root “scrib/script”
- scribe-eone who writes
- script-tsomething written
- describede-write down details of
- subscribesub-write one's name below
- inscribein-write or carve into
- scripture-uresacred written texts
- transcripttrans-written copy across forms
- manuscriptmanu-document written by hand
- prescribepre-write directions beforehand
- descriptionde- -ionact of writing details down
- inscriptionin- -ionwords written or carved in
- conscriptcon-enrolled by being written together
- postscriptpost-writing added after the end
- circumscribecircum-write a boundary around something
- proscribepro-publicly write out as forbidden
Also: prescription
How scrib/script works
The root appears as 'scrib-' before a vowel or in verb forms (describe, inscribe) and shifts to 'script-' in noun and adjective forms derived from the Latin past participle (script, transcript, inscription). Adding prefixes and suffixes like -ion, -ure, and -tion typically converts these words from verbs into nouns.
Watch out: The word 'scrip' (a small piece of paper or certificate) looks related but derives from Old Norse 'skreppa' (a bag), not from Latin 'scribere'.
To see roots combine with other parts, try the word dissector and root builder, or test yourself in the vocabulary quiz.
Other Greek and Latin roots
- port · carry
- duct · lead
- dict · say
- aud · hear
- vid/vis · see
- rupt · break
- mit/miss · send
- vert/vers · turn
- ped · foot
- man/manu · hand
- spec/spect · look
- cap/cept · take
- pos/pon · place
- fac/fact · make
- voc/vok · voice
- terr · earth
- aqua · water
- luc/lum · light
- nov · new
- temp · time
- mort · death
- gram/graph · write
- log/logy · word
- phon · sound
- bio · life
- chron · time
- geo · earth
- path · feeling
- hydr · water
- scope · look at
- therm · heat
- psych · mind
- auto · self
- tele · far
- micro · small
Questions people ask
What does the root “scrib/script” mean?
scrib/script means “write”. It comes from Latin (scribere). The root appears as 'scrib-' before a vowel or in verb forms (describe, inscribe) and shifts to 'script-' in noun and adjective forms derived from the Latin past participle (script, transcript, inscription). Adding prefixes and suffixes like -ion, -ure, and -tion typically converts these words from verbs into nouns.
What are some examples of words with the root “scrib/script”?
scribe, script, describe, subscribe, inscribe, scripture, transcript, manuscript. The full list of 16 examples, with what each one literally means, is above.
Which words look like they have the root “scrib/script” but don’t?
The word 'scrip' (a small piece of paper or certificate) looks related but derives from Old Norse 'skreppa' (a bag), not from Latin 'scribere'.
What is a root word?
A root is the core of a word that carries its main meaning. Many English roots come from Latin or Greek and cannot stand alone, like port (“carry”) in transport and portable.