# manuscript

/ˈmænjəsˌkɹɪpt/ (US) · /mˈænjuːskɹˌɪpt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/manuscript
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. original author's copy

noun · CEFR B2

the original version of a book, article, or piece of music that an author has written but not yet published.

For teachers: the original text of an author's work, whether handwritten, typed, or digital, submitted for copy-editing and eventual publication.

- The author sent the final manuscript of her new novel to the publisher yesterday.
- After years of research, the professor finally submitted the completed manuscript to the university press for peer review.

### 2. handwritten historical document

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a very old book or document that was written by hand before printing was invented.

For teachers: a historical document or book written by hand, typically referring to those produced before the invention of the printing press.

- The museum has a famous manuscript from the tenth century on display.
- Scholars spent decades studying the medieval manuscript to understand the evolution of the local dialect.

### 3. written by hand

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describes something that is written by hand rather than printed.

For teachers: written by hand or manually typewritten, as opposed to being mechanically or digitally reproduced.

- The library keeps several manuscript letters written by the famous poet.
- The archive contains a wealth of manuscript notes that provide insight into the scientist's early experimental process.

## Examples

- The author sent her final manuscript to the publisher yesterday.
- The library houses a rare medieval manuscript that was discovered in a monastery basement last century.
- Scholars spent decades comparing the various versions of the manuscript to determine which one most accurately reflected the poet's original intentions before the editor's heavy-handed revisions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.