Basic Details
Word: Prescribe
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To say what medicine or treatment a patient should have; also to set down a rule that must be followed.
Synonyms: recommend, order, advise, lay down
Antonyms: forbid, ban
Sounds like: proscribe (to ban or forbid something officially)
How to Spell Prescribe
Syllables: pre - scribe
Tricky part: It starts with pre, not per (perscribe). The c in scribe is easy to forget because it is hidden between s and r.
Watch out for: perscribe, prescibe, priscribe, prescrib
Memory tip: A scribe is a writer. A doctor writes down what you need before you take it: pre + scribe.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Doctors often prescribe rest and plenty of fluids for a viral fever.
Example 2: The board will prescribe new textbooks for Class 8 next year.
Example 3: The vet prescribed drops for the kitten's sore eye.
Fun Fact
The symbol Rx at the top of many prescriptions is usually explained as short for Latin recipe, meaning take.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
The doctor at the village clinic will perscribe a cough syrup and ask you to rest at home for at least three days.
a) syrup
b) least
c) perscribe
d) village
Show answer
c) perscribe. Doctors write before you take, so the word begins with pre, not per.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word prescribe as used in the sentence:
The coach will prescribe a set of stretches for each injured player.
a) recommend
b) forbid
c) refuse
d) ignore
Show answer
a) recommend. To prescribe exercises is to recommend them; forbid, refuse and ignore push them away.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence and choose the word they make:
The dentist will ecbirsper a mouthwash for your gums.
a) describe
b) proscribe
c) prescribe
d) subscribe
Show answer
c) prescribe. Proscribe needs an o, describe a d and subscribe a u; the two e's and the p belong to prescribe.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which person is most likely to prescribe medicine?
a) a tailor
b) a pilot
c) a doctor
d) a farmer
Show answer
c) a doctor
2. Prescribe and proscribe look alike. To proscribe something means to ____.
a) copy it out
b) recommend it
c) ban it
d) write it neatly
Show answer
c) ban it
