Word
scripture
Phoneticsscrip·ture, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈskɹɪptʃɝ/
UK/skɹˈɪptʃɐ/
Definitions
01sacred texts
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Religion Formal
n. the holy books of a religion that people believe are true and sacred.
n. the body of sacred writings of a religion, such as the Bible, the Quran, or the Torah, regarded as authoritative.
“The monk spent his entire life studying ancient scripture in the monastery.”
“The scholar compared various interpretations of scripture across different centuries to understand how the doctrine had evolved over time.”
Synonyms
02a specific passage
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Religion Formal
n. a particular verse or short piece of writing from a holy book.
n. a specific passage, verse, or excerpt taken from a sacred religious text.
“The priest read a scripture about kindness during the morning service.”
“During the ceremony, the speaker recited a scripture that emphasized the importance of charity and communal support.”
03authoritative writing
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary · Formal
n. a piece of writing that people treat as a final, most important truth.
n. any writing or statement regarded as having unquestionable authority or absolute truth.
“In that company, the founder's original handbook is treated like scripture.”
“For many dedicated followers of the movement, the manifesto is regarded as scripture, and its directives are never questioned.”
Real-World Examples
“Church and State describes itself as a “Christian political education ministry” teaching people to look at political issues and candidates through the lens of Scripture.” “We cannot remain silent."
The World Sikh Organization said a copy of the Sikh scripture inside the temple was also desecrated in the attack.” Etymology
From Latin scrīptūra (“a writing, scripture”), from scrīptum, the supine of scrībō (“I write”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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