WordGarden.iopostscript
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈəʊstskrɪpt/
US
- /ˈpoʊsˌkrɪpt/
Meanings
Noun
a note added at the end of a letter or other written text after the main body
something that comes later as an added afterthought or sequel
Proper-noun
PostScript, a page-description language used in digital printing and desktop publishing
Beyond the definition
Imagine you've just finished writing a heartfelt letter to a friend. You've signed your name and are about to seal the envelope… then you suddenly remember something important you forgot to mention! That little addition, scribbled at the very end, is a postscript—often shortened to "P.S."
Originally, a postscript was an addition made after the main body of a letter had been completed and signed (especially useful in the days before you could simply "undo" or "insert" text on a screen). Now, it can mean any added thought or piece of information placed at the end of a piece of writing or a message. It's that "Oh, one more thing..." moment. You might use it to clarify a point, add a quick afterthought, or leave one final note.
A postscript (often abbreviated as P.S.) is an additional note or remark added after the main body of a letter, document, book chapter, speech, or other written work. The word comes from the Latin post scriptum, meaning "written after." Historically, it referred to information added to a letter after it had been finished and signed—a way to include something that was overlooked without having to rewrite the entire manuscript.
Today, while still commonly used in letters (as in the classic "P.S. I love you!"), the term has broadened in meaning. It can refer to any final thought or addition made after the primary content is complete. A novelist might add a postscript to their book explaining their inspiration, or a speaker might offer a postscript at the end of their speech to acknowledge a late-breaking event.
The term also exists as a verb: "to postscript" means to add such an afterthought. However, it's far more common to simply use the abbreviation "P.S." directly. It's a charming way to signal that you have one last thing to say—a final thought, a quick update, or a little something extra for the reader. Think of it as the textual equivalent of a parting wink!
Examples
- 1
Letter ending
At the bottom of the letter, she added a short postscript: “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
- 2
Email
His email ended with a postscript asking everyone to bring snacks.
- PhraseP.S.
a common abbreviation for postscript
- 3
Story ending
The author included a postscript explaining what happened after the story ended.
- 4
Meeting follow-up
As a postscript to the meeting, the manager sent one more clarification that afternoon.
- Patternas a postscript to + event
added after the main thing
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Later aftermath
The apology came a week later, a strange postscript to an already awkward evening.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- add a postscript
- a postscript to a letter
- in a postscript
Word family
- p.s.
Explore
- paratext
- marginal note
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- postscriptnoun
Forms
- postscriptspluralnoun