manuscript
/ˈmæn.jʊ.skrɪpt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A manuscript is a book, article, or other text that has been written but not yet printed or published. It can also mean an old handwritten copy of a text.
- She submitted her manuscript to three publishers.
- The museum keeps the ancient manuscript safe.
Adinary Nuance
A manuscript is not the same as a draft. A draft is any early version of writing, but a manuscript is usually a complete text ready for review or publication. It is also more common in publishing, research, and history than in everyday speech.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bản thảo
- Spanish
- manuscrito
- Chinese
- 手稿
- Japanese
- 原稿
- Korean
- 원고
Etymology
Manuscript comes from Latin manus, meaning 'hand', and scriptus, meaning 'written'. The word entered English through Old French in the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
submit a manuscriptan unpublished manuscripta handwritten manuscriptmanuscript copy
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is manuscript formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal. People use it most in publishing, academic writing, and history.
- What is the difference between a manuscript and a draft?
- A draft is any early version. A manuscript is usually a more complete text, often ready to be sent out.
- Can manuscript mean an old document?
- Yes. It can mean an old handwritten document, especially one with historical value.
- How do I use manuscript in a sentence?
- Say: 'The editor returned my manuscript with notes.'