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Synonyms

scribbler

1 American  
[skrib-ler] / ˈskrɪb lər /

noun

  1. a writer whose work has little or no value or importance.

  2. a person who scribbles.

scribbler 2 American  
[skrib-ler] / ˈskrɪb lər /

noun

  1. a machine for scribbling wool fibers.

scribbler British  
/ ˈskrɪblə /

noun

  1. derogatory a writer of poetry, novels, journalism, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of scribbler1

First recorded in 1545–55; scribble 1 + -er 1

Origin of scribbler2

First recorded in 1675–85; scribble 2 + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On the final page of “The Snakes That Ate Florida,” Mr. Frazier invokes another great scribbler, E.B.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Unlike the average social media scribbler, Lewis transformed anxiety into art.

From Salon • Feb. 29, 2024

Martin grew up into a comic novelist and a prolific periodical scribbler, just like dad.

From New York Times • May 22, 2023

But Wessex isn’t the only challenge facing the struggling scribbler.

From Washington Post • Jun. 21, 2022

In a number of Applebee’s Journal for 1723, some account is given of a certain Abel Boyer, an infamous scribbler and notorious swearer of the day.

From A Cursory History of Swearing by Sharman, Julian

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.