prescribe

/prɪˈskraɪb/ formal

Say it: pri-SKRAIB

1. verb To authorize a patient to use a particular medicine or treatment.
My doctor prescribed antibiotics for the chest infection.
2. verb To state authoritatively that a rule or course of action should be followed.
The law prescribes a penalty of up to five years in prison for this offense.
3. verb To establish a claim or right through long-standing use or custom.
In some legal systems, a right of way can be prescribed after twenty years of uninterrupted use.

📖 Seen in the wild

The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics for the infection.
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✏️ prescribe in a sentence

The new guidelines prescribe how data should be collected and stored.
For anxiety, she was prescribed a combination of therapy and medication.
The coach prescribes a strict diet for all his athletes during the training season.
The constitution prescribes that a general election must be held every four years.
Many style guides prescribe using the serial comma for clarity.
The ancient ritual prescribes a series of specific chants and offerings.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

order stipulate dictate enjoin authorize specify direct require

order · implies direct command and authority, often outside a medical context.

stipulate · means to specify a condition as part of an agreement or bargain.

dictate · suggests imposing a rule without any room for discussion or debate.

enjoin · a very formal term for instructing or urging someone to do something.

Opposites: proscribe, forbid, prohibit, ban

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'prescribe' comes from the Latin 'praescribere', meaning 'to write before'. It's formed from 'prae' (before) and 'scribere' (to write). This originally referred to writing something at the beginning of a document, which evolved into the idea of laying down a rule in writing, and later to the specific medical sense of writing out a direction for treatment.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

prescribe medicationprescribe a course of treatmentprescribe a remedyprescribed by lawprescribe rules

The most common point of confusion is between 'prescribe' (to recommend) and 'proscribe' (to forbid). Remember the 'pre' in prescribe is like 'prepare', setting something up to be used. The 'pro' in proscribe is like 'prohibit', banning something. Also, note that while a doctor prescribes a medicine, the written document itself is a 'prescription'.

Word family: prescription, prescriptive, prescriptivism

💬 Quick answers

What does 'prescribe' mean?

It most commonly means for a medical professional to authorize a treatment or medicine. It can also mean to formally lay down a rule or guideline that must be followed.

What is the difference between 'prescribe' and 'proscribe'?

They are near opposites. To prescribe is to recommend or authorize something (like a medicine). To proscribe is to forbid or condemn something (like a dangerous activity).

What is the difference between 'prescribe' and 'describe'?

'Describe' means to give an account of what something is like. 'Prescribe' means to state what should be done. One tells you what is, the other tells you what ought to be.

Is 'prescribe' a formal word?

Yes, 'prescribe' is generally considered a formal word, used in medical, legal, and other official contexts. In casual conversation, you might say a doctor 'gave' you a prescription.

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