# scripted

/ˈskɹɪptɪd/ (US) · /skɹˈɪptɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scripted
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. planned in advance

adjective · CEFR B2

written or prepared before it is read or performed, like a speech or a TV show.

For teachers: prepared in writing or planned beforehand rather than being spontaneous or improvised.

- The comedian's jokes felt natural, but the entire show was actually scripted.
- The documentary was criticized for including several scripted scenes that were presented to the audience as spontaneous interactions.

### 2. artificial or predictable

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

feeling fake or not natural because it seems too planned.

For teachers: lacking spontaneity or authenticity; perceived as artificial, trite, or overly predictable.

- Her apology sounded scripted, as if she didn't really mean what she said.
- The politician's response felt scripted and hollow, failing to address the raw emotion of the voters' concerns.

### 3. automated by code

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

controlled or performed by a computer program.

For teachers: executed or controlled by a script or automated sequence of commands.

- The software update includes a scripted process that runs automatically at midnight.
- The administrator used a scripted routine to migrate the user data, ensuring that the complex permissions remained intact throughout the transition.

## Examples

- The actor's apology felt scripted and insincere.
- While the reality show claims to be real, many viewers believe the arguments are actually scripted.
- The politician's response to the scandal was clearly scripted, as he refused to deviate from his prepared notes even when pressed for specific details.

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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.