noun
Uncommon
scribe
skryb
Scribe (noun) means a person employed to write or copy documents by hand, especially historically. Example: “Monks worked as scribes, copying manuscripts by candlelight.”
noun
1
A person employed to write or copy documents by hand, especially historically.
"Monks worked as scribes, copying manuscripts by candlelight."
"The ancient scribe recorded the king's decrees on clay tablets."
2
A journalist or professional writer.
"The sports scribe filed his report minutes after the final whistle."
verb
1
To write, mark, or engrave something.
"He scribed his initials into the wet concrete."
How to use scribe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who writes or copies documents by hand, or (informally) any writer/journalist.
Common pairings
court scribe
the scribe recorded
sports scribe
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Word forms
- Plural
- scribes
- Third person singular
- scribes
- Past tense
- scribed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Monks worked as _____, copying manuscripts by candlelight.
Etymology
From Latin scrība ("secretary, clerk"), from scrībere ("to write") — a word originally meaning "to scratch," since early writing was carved rather than inked.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for scribe
See all rhymes for scribe →Frequently asked questions
What does “scribe” mean?
The word “scribe” means a person employed to write or copy documents by hand, especially historically. In plain terms, someone who writes or copies documents by hand, or (informally) any writer/journalist.
How do you pronounce “scribe”?
“Scribe” is pronounced skryb ([skɹaɪ̯b] in IPA).
How do you use “scribe” in a sentence?
Here is “scribe” used in a sentence: “Monks worked as scribes, copying manuscripts by candlelight.”
What is another word for “scribe”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scribe” include amanuensis, scrivener and tabellion.
What part of speech is “scribe”?
Depending on how it is used, “scribe” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “scribe” come from?
The word “scribe” comes from Latin. From Latin scrība ("secretary, clerk"), from scrībere ("to write") — a word originally meaning "to scratch," since early writing was carved rather than inked.
Is “scribe” a common word?
“Scribe” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “scribe” have?
“Scribe” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person employed to write or copy documents by hand, especially historically.
