prescribe
prih-SKRYB
Prescribe (verb) means For a doctor or other licensed practitioner to formally order a medicine or treatment for a patient. Example: “The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the infection.”
verb
1
For a doctor or other licensed practitioner to formally order a medicine or treatment for a patient.
"The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the infection."
"Her physiotherapist prescribed a set of daily stretches."
2
To lay down as a rule or requirement; to specify how something must be done.
"The manual prescribes exactly how the machine should be maintained."
How to use prescribe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially order a treatment, or to set down a required rule or procedure.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "proscribe," which means to forbid — the opposite idea.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
prescribe medication
prescribe a course of action
prescribed rules
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- prescribes
- Past tense
- prescribed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor _____ antibiotics for the infection.
Etymology
From Latin praescribere, "to write before" — from prae- ("before") and scribere ("to write").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for prescribe
See all rhymes for prescribe →Frequently asked questions
What does “prescribe” mean?
The word “prescribe” means for a doctor or other licensed practitioner to formally order a medicine or treatment for a patient. In plain terms, to officially order a treatment, or to set down a required rule or procedure.
How do you pronounce “prescribe”?
“Prescribe” is pronounced prih-SKRYB (/pɹɪˈskɹaɪb/ in IPA).
How do you use “prescribe” in a sentence?
Here is “prescribe” used in a sentence: “The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the infection.”
What is the opposite of “prescribe”?
The opposite of “prescribe” — its antonyms — is proscribe.
What part of speech is “prescribe”?
“Prescribe” is a verb.
Where does the word “prescribe” come from?
The word “prescribe” comes from Latin. From Latin praescribere, "to write before" — from prae- ("before") and scribere ("to write").
Is “prescribe” a common word?
“Prescribe” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “prescribe” have?
“Prescribe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: for a doctor or other licensed practitioner to formally order a medicine or treatment for a patient.
