transcript

transcript — noun

1. a written version of words that people spoke, produced by carefully listening to

1.nounB1
Definition

a written version of words that people spoke, produced by carefully listening to a recording and typing it out

Example

The court reporter prepared a transcript of the witness's testimony for the judge.

transcript + of + testimony — noun complement pattern

Sari read the transcript of the podcast episode to find the exact quote she needed.

Common collocations
  • court transcript
  • interview transcript
  • transcript of testimony
  • transcript of a lecture
  • read a transcript
  • prepare a transcript
Synonyms
  • transcription

    can refer to the same document, but more often describes the process of creating it

  • written record

    broader term covering any written documentation, not necessarily word-for-word

  • copy

    any duplicate of a document, not specifically of spoken words

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

transcript + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Distinguish from 'transcription': a transcript is the finished written document, while 'transcription' can refer to either the process of converting speech to text or the document itself.

Common Mistakes

I need a transcript of this book.
I need a copy of this book.
A transcript is made from spoken words or recordings, not from existing written documents.

2. an official document from a school that lists all the courses a student took and

2.nounB1
Definition

an official document from a school that lists all the courses a student took and the final grades for each one

Example

Christopher requested an official copy of his high school transcript for his college application.

request + official copy of + transcript — collocation chain

Students must submit their official transcript before the start of the semester.

submit + official transcript — verb + adjective + noun collocation

Common collocations
  • official transcript
  • high school transcript
  • college transcript
  • request a transcript
  • submit a transcript
  • transcript request
Synonyms
  • academic record

    more formal term; often used interchangeably but broader in scope

  • grade report

    less formal; often issued at the end of each term rather than cumulatively

  • report card

    used mainly for primary and secondary school, not universities

Grammar Patterns

possessive + transcript

adjective + transcript

Usage Note

Frequently used with possessive determiners ('my transcript', 'her transcript') and adjectives indicating formality ('official transcript', 'certified transcript'). Common in academic and job-application contexts.

Common Mistakes

I lost my transcript and cannot graduate.
I lost my transcript and need to request a new one from the registrar.
Losing a transcript does not prevent graduation, but you will need a replacement copy for future applications.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A transcript is a written version of words that were spoken, aiming to capture every word exactly. 'Transcription' can refer to the same finished document, but it more commonly describes the process of converting speech to text. A 'copy' is any duplicate of written material — it does not need to come from speech. 'Record' is much broader, covering any stored information (audio files, video footage, database entries). 'Minutes' are a summary of what was discussed in a formal meeting, typically shortened and paraphrased, whereas a transcript preserves the full conversation. For example: 'The journalist requested a transcript of the interview' captures the full dialogue, but 'The secretary took minutes of the board meeting' captures only the key decisions and action points.

transcription ↗copy ↗record ↗minutes

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • official copy of a transcript

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Transcript comes from Latin 'transcriptum', meaning 'something copied', from the verb 'transcribere' (to copy by writing). 'Transcribere' combines 'trans-' (across) and 'scribere' (to write). The word passed through French before entering English in the 1300s, originally referring to any hand-copied document. The specific academic-record sense emerged in the 1800s as schools began issuing formal printed grade records.