script

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈskript 

plural scripts

1

a

: something written : text

b

: an original or principal instrument or document

c(1)

: manuscript sense 1

(2)

: the written text of a stage play, screenplay, or broadcast

specifically : the one used in production or performance

2

a

: a style of printed letters that resembles handwriting

b

: written characters : handwriting

c

: alphabet

3

: a plan of action

4

computing : a sequence of instructions or commands for a computer to execute

especially : one that automates a small task (such as assembling or sorting a set of data)

Two engineers, a biologist and a zoologist wrote a computer script that downloaded the lyrics, band names and genre categories from all songs on the website www.metalkingdom.net.

—Fedor Zarkhin

script

2 of 3

verb

scripted; scripting; scripts

transitive verb

1

: to prepare a script for or from

2

: to provide carefully considered details for (such as a plan of action)

an event carefully scripted to attract attention

script

3 of 3

noun (2)

: prescription sense 4a

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• handwriting

Examples of script in a Sentence

Noun (1)

has a neat, careful script with delicate loops

sold two scripts to the movie studio

sending a thank-you note in script—and not just an e-mail—is the only proper way to express one's gratitude

Verb

I scripted three episodes of the show.

The discussion couldn't have gone better if we had scripted it.

The trip didn't go as scripted.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There have been many farewells for Dockery across her time doing Downton, but reading the new film’s script for the first time, the sense of finality truly hit. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025

High-risk careers like entrepreneurship or law enforcement force you to build conviction midair, without a script or safety net. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Verb

In America’s cultural imagination of the 1970s and 1980s, success for men and women was narrowly scripted. —Sophia A. Nelson, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

However, many fans assumed that the pacing and dialogue between the subjects and the investigators were extremely scripted. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Latin scriptum thing written, from neuter of scriptus, past participle of scribere to write — more at scribe

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1887, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing script

• co-script
• flip the script
• shooting script

Rhymes for script

• chipped
• clipped
• crypt
• dipped
• dripped
• flipped
• gripped
• hipped
• lipped
• nipped
• quipped
• ripped

Kids Definition

script

noun

ˈskript

1

a

: something written : text

b

: the written text of a stage play, screenplay, or broadcast

2

: letters and figures written by hand : handwriting

Medical Definition

script

noun

ˈskript 

: prescription sense 1