manuscript
gb/mˈænjəskɹˌɪpt/ us/mˈænjəskɹˌɪpt/
B2
English
~ 4600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
unpublished written work
A piece of writing that is not yet printed as a book or article.
Usage pattern:
[someone] submit [a manuscript] to [a publisher]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'manuscript' with 'script' for plays or films; however, 'manuscript' refers more broadly to any unpublished written work.
Synonyms
draft (Emphasizes an unfinished version of a text, which may still change.)
|
typescript (Specifically refers to a typed version of a text, often for submission.)
Antonyms
published work (Refers to material that has already been formally released to the public.)
Collocations
submit a manuscript
|edit a manuscript
|publish a manuscript
|read a manuscript
|reject a manuscript
Themes
publishing
|literature
|writing
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|business
Examples
- The author submitted her manuscript to three different publishers.
- His latest novel is still in manuscript form.
- The editor returned the manuscript with detailed comments.
- She found an old manuscript in the attic.
- The manuscript was accepted for publication after several revisions.
Learner examples
- I sent my manuscript to a magazine.
- The book is still a manuscript.
- He worked on his manuscript all night.
- She read the manuscript before it was printed.
Noun
B2
entity
2
old handwritten text
An old document or book written by hand.
Common mistake:
Learners may think all manuscripts are old; in fact, modern unpublished works are also called manuscripts.
Synonyms
codex (A historical term for an ancient book, especially in bound form.)
Antonyms
printed book (Refers to works reproduced by printing rather than handwritten copies.)
Collocations
ancient manuscript
|medieval manuscript
|illuminated manuscript
|preserve a manuscript
Themes
history
|literature
|archives
|education
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The museum displayed a medieval manuscript with gold leaf decorations.
- Scholars studied the ancient manuscript to learn about early medicine.
- The library has a rare illuminated manuscript from the 14th century.
- She specialized in restoring damaged manuscripts.
- The manuscript was kept in a climate-controlled room.
Learner examples
- We saw an old manuscript in the museum.
- This manuscript was written hundreds of years ago.
- The library keeps the manuscript safe.
Grammar
Dictionary form
manuscript
IPA
GB/mˈænjəskɹˌɪpt/
US/mˈænjəskɹˌɪpt/
Syllables & stress
ma - nu - script (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ma)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: manuscript
- Plural: manuscripts
Word family
Forms
manuscripts
noun
Related words
script
noun B1
scriptwriter
noun
Advanced or less common
scripted
adjective
Expressions
manuscript form
1/mˈænjəskɹˌɪpt fˈɔɹm/
fixed phrase
unpublished state of writing
When a piece of writing is not yet published and exists only as the original copy.
Examples
- The novel remained in manuscript form for years before being published.
- The report is still in manuscript form and hasn't been approved yet.