script
/skrɪpt/ (bre, ipa) · /skrɪpt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈskript/ (ame, mw)
script — noun
- scriptsingular
- scriptsplural
1. the written text containing all the words that actors speak in a film, televisio
the written text containing all the words that actors speak in a film, television show, play, or that a news presenter reads on air.
Hugo stayed up late to finish writing the script for the school play.
script + for + noun: purpose of the text
The director made several changes to the script before filming began.
Noor read through the script twice to memorise her lines before the audition.
The broadcast script for the morning news was delivered to the presenter just before airtime.
Inês was asked to rewrite the opening scene because the ending felt rushed.
- screenplay
restricted to film and television, never used for theatre or radio
- text
broader; refers to any written words, not specifically performance-related
- libretto
specific to opera and musical theatre; very narrow
文法句型
script + of + noun
script + for + noun
用法筆記
Can be used both countably ('a script for a new film') and uncountably ('he wrote script for television').
常見錯誤
2. an expected pattern of behaviour that people believe should happen in a particul
an expected pattern of behaviour that people believe should happen in a particular situation, based on shared cultural or social knowledge.
At a wedding, everyone seems to know the script without being told what to do.
Erik's apology followed the usual script: a short statement of regret followed by excuses.
collocation: follow the script
The social script for a first date expects the man to pay for dinner.
In Japan, the script for a job interview starts with a polite bow.
When the meeting ran long, the team didn't know how to break the usual script.
- convention
broader; refers to any accepted social custom, not necessarily sequential
- protocol
more formal; used in official or diplomatic contexts
- routine
focuses on repeated actions rather than expected behaviour
文法句型
the + script + for + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'follow', 'stick to', or 'break from'. The word is often preceded by 'the' or a possessive ('their cultural script').
常見錯誤
3. the complete set of written symbols, such as letters or characters, used to repr
the complete set of written symbols, such as letters or characters, used to represent the sounds or words of a language.
The Arabic script is used for writing many languages, including Persian and Urdu.
Sirin is learning to read the Korean script, which was created in the fifteenth century.
collocation: Korean / Cyrillic / Arabic script
Some languages, like Japanese, use more than one script in everyday writing.
The Latin script is the most widely used writing system in the world today.
Mongolian children learn the Cyrillic script at school and also study the traditional script.
- alphabet
narrower; refers only to a set of letters, not logographic or syllabic writing systems
- writing system
the broader technical term that includes scripts, alphabets, and other orthographies
- orthography
formal term; includes spelling rules in addition to the character set
文法句型
the + language-name + script
用法筆記
Often paired with the name of the script family (Latin, Cyrillic, Arabic, Devanagari). Do not confuse with 'language' — a language can be written in multiple scripts (e.g. Serbian uses both Cyrillic and Latin).
常見錯誤
4. handwritten text, especially when the letters are formed in an attractive or car
handwritten text, especially when the letters are formed in an attractive or carefully made way.
The invitation was written in beautiful script on thick cream paper.
collocation: in ... script (describing handwriting style)
Grandma's old recipe book is filled with her neat cursive script from the 1950s.
The letter was typed, but the signature at the bottom was in flowing script.
Zuri practised her script every evening until her handwriting looked elegant and even.
The museum displayed a medieval manuscript written in Gothic script.
- handwriting
everyday term; neutral, neither formal nor informal
- penmanship
formal term focusing on skill and style
- calligraphy
decorative handwriting as an art form; more specialised
文法句型
possessive + script
in + adjective + script
用法筆記
Chiefly British and formal in this sense. In modern everyday use 'handwriting' is more common. 'Script' as handwriting often implies a particular style (cursive, italic, Gothic, etc.).
常見錯誤
5. a short computer program or series of commands that performs a specific task aut
a short computer program or series of commands that performs a specific task automatically, often written in a high-level language.
Andrés wrote a simple script to rename every file in the folder at once.
script + to + infinitive (purpose)
The server runs a script every night to back up user data automatically.
Before deploying the update, the engineer tested the script on a copy of the website.
Harper wrote a JavaScript script that checks whether a user's password is long enough.
A small script on the web server logs every visitor's browser type and screen size.
- program
broader; includes compiled software and large applications
- batch file
specific to Windows command-line scripts
- macro
a short script that automates repetitive tasks within a specific application
文法句型
script + to + infinitive
run/execute + script
用法筆記
Refers to interpreted rather than compiled code — scripts run line-by-line without a separate compilation step. Common in web development (JavaScript), system administration (shell scripts), and automation (Python scripts).
常見錯誤
6. the handwritten answer paper that a student produces during an examination, whic
the handwritten answer paper that a student produces during an examination, which is later marked by an examiner.
The examiner had over two hundred scripts to mark before the end of the week.
collocation: mark a script
Sumin checked her script twice before handing it to the invigilator at the front.
Each script was marked by two different teachers to ensure fairness in grading.
The student's script contained several crossed-out answers and messy diagrams.
Lost scripts must be reported immediately so that replacement exams can be arranged.
- exam paper
broader and more internationally understood; 'script' is chiefly British
- answer booklet
refers to the physical booklet rather than the content
- test paper
used in American English; can mean the question sheet or the answer sheet
文法句型
possessive + script
mark + script
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. In American English 'exam paper' or 'test booklet' is the usual term. Frequently used in the context of 'marking scripts' (grading papers).
常見錯誤
7. an informal, shortened form of 'prescription'; a document from a doctor that aut
an informal, shortened form of 'prescription'; a document from a doctor that authorises a patient to receive a particular medicine or treatment.
The doctor wrote a script for antibiotics and told Tamar to rest for three days.
script + for + [medication]
Meera took the script to the pharmacy around the corner and waited for her medicine.
You will need a new script from your doctor if the old one has expired.
The pharmacist checked the script carefully before handing over the painkillers.
Eric called the clinic to ask for a repeat script for his allergy medicine.
- prescription
the full, formal term; use in formal writing or official contexts
- Rx
symbol commonly used on prescription pads; not spoken aloud
文法句型
script + for + noun
用法筆記
Informal abbreviation of 'prescription'. Common in spoken and informal written contexts. In formal medical writing, use 'prescription' instead. The word 'scrip' (without the 't') is a different term meaning a certificate or voucher.
常見錯誤
script — verb
- scriptpresent simple I / you / we / they
- scripts3rd person singular
- scripting-ing form
- scriptedpast simple
1. to compose the spoken text that actors, presenters, or performers will deliver i
to compose the spoken text that actors, presenters, or performers will deliver in a film, television show, play, or broadcast.
The final episode was scripted by a new writer brought in to refresh the series.
passive: was scripted by [person]
Gita scripted all the dialogue for the animated film over the course of six months.
A team of three writers scripted each episode of the popular crime drama.
The comedian's speech sounded natural but had been carefully scripted the night before.
Hugo was asked to script the opening ceremony for the city's annual cultural festival.
文法句型
script + noun
be scripted + by + noun
carefully/poorly scripted
用法筆記
Often used in the passive ('was scripted by...'). The adjective 'scripted' (planned in advance) is more common than the finite verb forms. Can also carry a negative connotation when contrasting with 'spontaneous' — a 'scripted remark' sounds insincere.