inscription
gb/ɪnskɹˈɪpʃən/ us/ɪnskɹˈɪpʃən/
B2
English
~ 5800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
words carved or written on something
Words or symbols that are cut or written on something hard, like a stone, building, or coin, usually to be kept for a long time.
Usage pattern:
an inscription on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "inscription" with "description" or "subscription" because they look similar. "Inscription" is physical writing on an object, while a "description" is an explanation in words, and a "subscription" is an agreement to pay for a service. Learners may also think it means general "writing"; however, an inscription is specifically on a surface like stone, metal, or a monument and is usually meant to last.
Synonyms
engraving (Often refers more specifically to the carved design or technique, not just the text itself.)
|
lettering (Focuses on the style and appearance of the written characters rather than their function as a record.)
Antonyms
blank (Describes a surface with no writing or marks on it, the opposite of having an inscription.)
|
erasure (The removal of writing or marks, which undoes or removes an inscription.)
Collocations
an inscription on the stone
|ancient inscription
|Latin inscription
|carve an inscription
|the inscription reads
|funerary inscription
Themes
history
|art
|writing
|culture
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The inscription on the monument lists the names of the soldiers who died in the war.
- An ancient inscription on the temple wall describes a great victory in battle.
- The inscription on the ring reads, "Forever in my heart."
- They studied the Latin inscription carved around the edge of the old coin.
- The weather has made the inscription on the gravestone almost impossible to read.
Learner examples
- There is an inscription on the front of the building.
- We could not read the inscription on the old stone.
- The coin has an inscription in very small letters.
- The inscription on the statue shows the year it was made.
- He took a picture of the inscription above the church door.
Noun
B2
entity
2
short personal message in a book
A short note written inside a book or gift to say who it is for or to share a special message.
Usage pattern:
an inscription in [a book / a copy of something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with a full printed "dedication" page in a book. An inscription here is usually short, often handwritten, and personal. It is not the same as a book review or summary.
Synonyms
dedication (Often used for a formal or longer message in a book, or for the printed page at the front of a book naming the person it is dedicated to.)
|
note (More general; can be any short piece of writing and does not suggest it is written in a book as a lasting mark.)
Antonyms
undelivered (A gift with no personal message or name added stands in contrast to one with an inscription.)
|
unsigned (A book or gift with no name or personal words written in it contrasts with one that has an inscription.)
Collocations
an inscription in the book
|personal inscription
|signed inscription
|author’s inscription
|write an inscription
|gift inscription
Themes
relationships
|writing
|education
|communication
|daily_life
Examples
- She opened the front cover and found a handwritten inscription from her grandfather.
- The author wrote a warm inscription in my copy of the novel.
- There was an inscription inside the book that said, "To Emily, with love on your graduation."
- He always checks second‑hand books for an old inscription from a previous owner.
- The librarian discovered an inscription that showed the book had originally belonged to the town’s first mayor.
Learner examples
- He wrote a short inscription in the book for his friend.
- There is an inscription inside the cover that says, "Happy birthday."
- I found an old inscription with a date from 1950.
- The author wrote an inscription to me when I bought the book.
- She read the inscription and started to cry.
Noun
formal
C1
action
3
the act of inscribing something
The action of putting words or marks onto something, like stone or metal, so that they stay there.
Usage pattern:
the inscription of [words / a name] on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often use the more common verb "write" or "carve" instead of the noun "inscription" for the action. In everyday English, people usually say "the writing of" or "the carving of" rather than "the inscription of" outside of formal or academic writing.
Synonyms
engraving (Can refer both to the act and the result, and often suggests using tools to cut into a hard surface.)
|
etching (Implies using acid or another chemical process and is often used in artistic or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
erasure (The removal of writing or marks is the opposite of the act of inscribing them.)
|
effacement (A formal term for wiping out or making something, such as an inscription, no longer visible.)
Collocations
the inscription of names
|inscription of a message
|inscription of the text
|inscription on the tablet
|inscription into stone
Themes
art
|history
|writing
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The inscription of his name on the memorial wall was a deeply emotional moment for the family.
- The careful inscription of the text took the stonecutter several days to complete.
- The law required the inscription of certain warnings on all cigarette packages.
- Scholars date the tablet by the style and spelling used in the inscription of the king’s title.
- The project involved the inscription of thousands of donors’ names on metal plates.
Learner examples
- The inscription of the words on the stone took many hours.
- They celebrated the inscription of her name on the school’s honor board.
- The law asks for the inscription of a warning on each bottle.
- The artist planned the inscription of a poem on the wall.
- The inscription of the names was done by hand.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inscription
IPA
GB/ɪnskɹˈɪpʃən/
US/ɪnskɹˈɪpʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - scrip - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (scrip)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: inscription
- Plural: inscription, inscriptions
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.