prescription - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
prescription Word Meanings
- a written order for medicine
- a recommendation for a course of action
- a rule or directive that must be followed
prescription Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
prescription Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/prɪsˈkrɪp.ʃən/
US
/prɪˈskrɪp.ʃən/
prescription Word Etymology
pre- = before + script = write; Historical origin: Latin 'praescriptio' → Old French 'prescription' → English. Memory image: Imagine a doctor writing a note before you leave their office, prescribing what you need to feel better.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I lean over the counter, pull a slip toward me, and move the pen across the page to read the words. I tilt the bottle in my hand and shift my focus to the lines that tell me when to take it. I feel the weight of the decision, a quiet push to do what the note asks, and I adjust my morning routine to fit the timing. As the page settles back down, the idea of a plan—something to follow—begins to feel real, a prescription guiding what comes next.
Real Context
Prescription is a word with three main meanings in English. First, a written order from a licensed clinician authorizing a pharmacist to dispense a medicine. Second, a recommended course of action, such as a treatment plan or lifestyle change, suggested by a professional. Third, a rule or directive that must be followed in a specific context, like safety procedures in a workplace. The etymology traces to pre- 'before' and script 'write', through Latin praescriptio and Old French prescription. A memorable image is a doctor writing a note before you leave the clinic, guiding what you should take or do next.
Usage Reminders
- Use 'prescription' for the medical document
- Say 'a prescription for [medicine]' (not 'a prescription of')
- Remember the other senses: a recommended plan or a rule to follow
- The verb is 'prescribe' (to authorize medical treatment)
- In law or policy contexts, 'prescription' can mean a rule or a statute of limitations
Common Misconceptions
- A prescription is the medicine itself, not a document.
- Prescribe is the noun form you should use for the order.
- Prescriptions can always be filled for over-the-counter medicine without a doctor.
- Prescription and advice are the same thing.
- A prescription always means a legal limit or rule.
Thinking Differences
In English, this noun covers three senses, but the focus for learners is the medical document. Distinguish it from the verb prescribe and from non-medical senses of rule or guidance.
Learning Tips
- Practice pronunciation: pres-crip-tion
- Compare with 'prescribe' and 'prescriptive'
- Use 'prescription for' with a medication
- Note the three senses in context
- Watch false friends in law/policy contexts
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'prescription'?
A.Herbal remedy
B.Dietary restriction plan
C.Exercise regimen
D.Medical instruction for treatment
Step 2: Usage
In what context is the word 'prescription' commonly used?
A.Healthcare
B.Gardening
C.Cooking
D.Driving
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'prescription'?
A.Improvement
B.Recommendation
C.Denial
D.Complication
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'prescription'?
A.Supervision
B.Permission
C.Refusal
D.Suggestion
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life example where a 'prescription' would be given?
A.Cooking a new recipe
B.Planting a garden
C.Learning a new language
D.Treating a bacterial infection with antibiotics
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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