Have you ever been in a really really tight space, like a box? Well, if you have been in a really tight box, a geometry teacher might say that you were inscribed, and that the box was circumscribed.

In this geometry lesson, you will see the words inscribed and circumscribed quite a bit. The words sound alike because they are closely related to each other. They go hand in hand. Even though the two words are related, you'll need to be able to quickly remember which meaning goes with which word.

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of a really detailed definition, let's talk about it in everyday terms. Here is a really simple way to understand what inscribed and circumscribed mean:

INscribed = INside

So, circumscribed must be the opposite of that:

CIRCUMscribed = OUTside

The word circumscribed might have reminded you of another word that has to do with a circle: circumference. You might remember that a circle's circumference is the distance around the outside of the circle. Again, think:

CIRCUMscribed = CIRCUMference = OUTside

So if an object or shape is on the inside, then it is inscribed. If an object or shape is around something or on the outside, then it is circumscribed. Click through the tabs below to see if you can use the words correctly. The first one is done for you.