script

¹ American  

[skript] / skrɪpt /

noun

1. the letters or characters used in writing by hand; handwriting, especially cursive writing.

2. a manuscript or document.

3. the text of a manuscript or document.

4. the manuscript or one of various copies of the written text of a play, motion picture, or radio or television broadcast.

5. any system of writing.

6. Printing. a type imitating handwriting.

7. Digital Technology. an executable section of code that automates a task.

   You will have to run the script to install the program on your computer.

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verb (used with object)

1. to write a script for.

   The movie was scripted by a famous author.

2. to plan or devise; make arrangements for.

   The week-long festivities were scripted by a team of experts.

3. Digital Technology. to write an executable section of code for (a program) in order to automate a task.

   You can script a program that will scan your files.

verb (used without object)

1. Digital Technology. to write an executable section of code that automates a task.

   Most programmers script in more than one programming language.

Script. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Scriptural.

2. Scripture.

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script British  

/ skrɪpt /

noun

1. handwriting as distinguished from print, esp cursive writing

2. the letters, characters, or figures used in writing by hand

3. any system or style of writing

4. written copy for the use of performers in films and plays

5. law

   1. an original or principal document

   2. (esp in England) a will or codicil or the draft for one

6. any of various typefaces that imitate handwriting

7. computing a series of instructions that is executed by a computer program

8. an answer paper in an examination

9. another word for scrip 3

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verb

1. (tr) to write a script for

Other Word Forms

• scripter noun
• underscript noun

Etymology

Origin of script

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English (noun), from Latin scriptum, noun use of neuter past participle of scrībere “to write”; replacing Middle English scrit, from Old French escrit, from Latin, as above; (verb) first recorded in 1930–35; from the noun.

Example Sentences

When it comes to soup, there’s a familiar script: You boil, you simmer, you tend.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Shear says he first began his original screenplay with an image of a young man having a panic attack in the self-help section of a bookshop and grew the script from there.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

And then they’d go off and eat sushi, and then you have to come up with a whole entire script and write it overnight.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Fleabag writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge is behind the script for the show, based on the hit video game series first released in 1996.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

I scribbled down a script to fight off my nerves.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Related Words

• article
• book
• copy
• dialogue
• libretto
• manuscript
• scenario
• text