What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
writer
Example
The writer spent months researching and writing their latest novel. [writer: noun]
Example
She has always been a passionate writer, spending hours every day working on her craft. [writer: adjective]
scribe
Example
The scribe carefully recorded the details of the meeting in their notebook. [scribe: noun]
Example
In ancient times, scribes were responsible for copying important texts by hand. [scribes: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Writer is a more common term than scribe in everyday language. Writer covers a wide range of contexts and is used to describe anyone who writes, from professional authors to amateur bloggers. Scribe, on the other hand, is less commonly used and is typically associated with historical or religious contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between writer and scribe?
Both writer and scribe can be used in formal and informal contexts, but scribe may be perceived as more formal due to its historical associations with important documents and religious texts.