Prescription vs. Perscription — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 19, 2024
The correct spelling is "Prescription," while the incorrect version is "Perscription." A prescription is a medical directive for medication or treatment.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Prescription or Perscription
How to spell Prescription?
Prescription
Correct Spelling
Perscription
Incorrect Spelling
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Key Differences
The word 'script' within Prescription should remind you of 'manuscript,' both derived from writing.
Focus on the "Pre-" in Prescription, as in "Preventative medicine."
Remember that "scrip" in Prescription matches "Scribble," both involving writing.
Recall that it's "pre-scription," not "per-scription," to emphasize it's beforehand, or preparatory.
Associate it with "prescribe," the verb form, to keep the "Pre-" prefix.
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How Do You Spell Perscription Correctly?
Incorrect: The pharmacist couldn't read the perscription clearly.
Correct: The pharmacist couldn't read the prescription clearly.
Incorrect: I need to refill my perscription soon.
Correct: I need to refill my prescription soon.
Incorrect: Can you send the perscription to my local pharmacy?
Correct: Can you send the prescription to my local pharmacy?
Incorrect: He asked if the perscription was covered by insurance.
Correct: He asked if the prescription was covered by insurance.
Incorrect: The doctor gave me a perscription for my cough.
Correct: The doctor gave me a prescription for my cough.
Prescription Definitions
Prescription is a medical instruction for medication.
My doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics.
Prescription refers to a set formula or procedure for a course of action.
This is a prescription for disaster.
Prescription also denotes a right acquired by long-standing custom.
Land ownership by prescription has historical roots.
Prescription can indicate eyeglass lens specifications.
I got a new prescription for my glasses.
Prescription can refer to a specific requirement or guideline.
The prescription for this project is well-defined.
The action of establishing a rule, law, or direction.
Something that is prescribed; a rule, law, or direction
Prescriptions for living a moral life.
A written order, especially by a physician, for the preparation and administration of a medicine or other treatment.
A prescribed medicine or other treatment
Have you used up all of your prescription?.
An ophthalmologist's or optometrist's written instruction, as for the grinding of corrective lenses.
(Law) The acquisition of an easement or of title to property by use or occupancy that exceeds the time allowed to another to recover it by statutory right.
A written order from an authorized medical practitioner for provision of a medicine or other treatment, such as (ophthalmology) the specific lenses needed for a pair of glasses.
The surgeon had written thousands of prescriptions for pain killers without proper examinations before the police raided the clinic.
(medicine) The medicine or treatment provided by such an order.
I need you to pick up gramma's prescriptions on your way home.
(figurative) Any plan of treatment or planned treatment.
Early to bed and early to rise is a prescription for a long, healthy, and terrible life.
(legal) enactment, the act of establishing a law, regulation, etc., particularly in writing; an instance of this.
(linguistics) The act of establishing or formalizing ideal norms for language use, as opposed to describing the actual norms of such use; an instance of this.
(legal) An established time period within which a right must be exercised and after which it is null and permanently unenforceable.
(legal) An established time period after which a person who has uninterruptedly, peacefully, and publicly used another's property acquires full ownership of it.
(obsolete) self-restraint, limiting of one's actions especially according to a moral code or social conventions.
Only available with a physician or nurse practitioner's written prescription
Many powerful pain killers are prescription drugs in the U.S.
The act of prescribing, directing, or dictating; direction; precept; also, that which is prescribed.
A direction of a remedy or of remedies for a disease, and the manner of using them; a medical recipe; also, a prescribed remedy.
A prescribing for title; the claim of title to a thing by virtue of immemorial use and enjoyment; the right or title acquired by possession had during the time and in the manner fixed by law.
That profound reverence for law and prescription which has long been characteristic of Englishmen.
Directions prescribed beforehand; the action of prescribing authoritative rules or directions;
I tried to follow her prescription for success
A drug that is available only with written instructions from a doctor or dentist to a pharmacist;
He told the doctor that he had been taking his prescription regularly
Written instructions for an optician on the lenses for a given person
Written instructions from a physician or dentist to a druggist concerning the form and dosage of a drug to be issued to a given patient
Available only with a doctor's written prescription;
A prescription drug
Nonprescription drugs
An over-the-counter cold remedy
Prescription Meaning in a Sentence
Some prescription drugs have serious side effects.
Losing a prescription can be a big inconvenience.
Always check with your doctor before stopping a prescription.
She had questions about her prescription and called her doctor.
The cost of prescription medications can be high without insurance.
He realized he had left his prescription at home.
Online pharmacies require a valid prescription for order.
The doctor writes a prescription for medication after every visit.
She took her prescription to the pharmacy to be filled.
Travelers should ensure they have enough prescription medication for their trip.
Keeping track of prescription renewals is important for chronic conditions.
Without a prescription, the pharmacy refused to give out the medication.
He asked the doctor for a prescription refill.
Prescription eyeglasses are necessary for her to see clearly.
The prescription included detailed instructions on dosage.
Always store prescription drugs out of reach of children.
The rise in prescription drug abuse is a concern for healthcare providers.
The prescription label warns against drinking alcohol while taking the medication.
She transferred her prescription to a pharmacy closer to her home.
Obtaining a prescription for certain medications can be difficult.
Prescription Idioms & Phrases
Fill a prescription
To prepare and give out a medicine as written on a doctor's prescription.
I need to go to the pharmacy to fill a prescription my doctor gave me.
Prescription strength
Referring to a higher dose of medication, available only via prescription.
You'll need a prescription-strength antihistamine to manage those allergies.
On prescription
Medication that is available only with a written order from a doctor.
Certain painkillers are only available on prescription due to their potency.
Off prescription
Using medication in a way not specified by the prescription.
Taking medication off prescription can be dangerous and is not advised.
Prescription for disaster
A situation or action likely to lead to a bad outcome.
Driving in this weather without snow tires is a prescription for disaster.
Common Curiosities
What is the singular form of Prescription?
Prescription.
Why is it called Prescription?
Derived from "prescribe," indicating a set directive or rule, often medically.
What is the pronunciation of Prescription?
/prɪˈskrɪpʃən/
Which preposition is used with Prescription?
"For," as in "prescription for medication."
What is the root word of Prescription?
Derived from the Latin "praescribere," to write beforehand.
What is the verb form of Prescription?
Prescribe.
Which vowel is used before Prescription?
"A," as in "a prescription."
Is Prescription an abstract noun?
No, it's concrete.
Is Prescription a countable noun?
Yes.
Is Prescription a collective noun?
No.
Is the word Prescription imperative?
No.
What is the plural form of Prescription?
Prescriptions.
Which conjunction is used with Prescription?
"And," as in "Prescription and diagnosis."
Is Prescription an adverb?
No.
What is a stressed syllable in Prescription?
The second syllable, "scrip."
How do we divide Prescription into syllables?
Pre-scrip-tion.
What is another term for Prescription?
Medical directive.
Which determiner is used with Prescription?
"A" or "the."
Is Prescription a noun or adjective?
A noun.
Is Prescription a negative or positive word?
Neutral; context-dependent.
Is Prescription a vowel or consonant?
It's a word, not a vowel or consonant.
Is the Prescription term a metaphor?
It can be used metaphorically.
What part of speech is Prescription?
Noun.
How many syllables are in Prescription?
Three syllables.
What is the opposite of Prescription?
Over-the-counter.
Which article is used with Prescription?
"A" or "the."
Is the word Prescription a gerund?
No.
Is the word “Prescription” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on the sentence.
How is Prescription used in a sentence?
"I need to get my prescription filled at the pharmacy."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
