scribble

¹

[skrib-uhl]

verb (used with object)

scribbled, scribbling 

1. to write hastily or carelessly.

   to scribble a letter.

2. to cover with meaningless writing or marks.

   to scribble all over a page.

verb (used without object)

scribbled, scribbling 

1. to write or draw in a hasty or careless way.

2. to make meaningless marks, scrolls, lines, etc., with a pencil, pen, or the like.

noun

1. a note or other writing that has little or no meaning.

2. a hasty or careless drawing or piece of writing.

3. handwriting, especially when illegible.

scribble

²

[skrib-uhl]

verb (used with object)

scribbled, scribbling 

1. to tear apart (wool fibers) in the first stages of carding.

scribble

¹

/ ˈskrɪbəl /

verb

1. to write or draw in a hasty or illegible manner

2. to make meaningless or illegible marks (on)

3. derogatory,  to write poetry, novels, etc

noun

1. hasty careless writing or drawing

2. writing, esp literary matter, of poor quality

3. meaningless or illegible marks

scribble

²

/ ˈskrɪbəl /

verb

1. (tr) to card (wool, etc)

Other Word Forms

• scribblingly adverb
• scribbly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scribble¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English verb scriblen, scribul, from Medieval Latin scrībillāre “to scribble,” derivative of Latin scrībere “to write”; shrive

Origin of scribble²

First recorded in 1675–85; from Dutch schribbelen “to scratch”; cognate with schrobbelen “to card wool coarsely,” frequentative of schrobben to scrub ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of scribble¹

C15: from Medieval Latin scrībillāre to write hastily, from Latin scrībere to write

Origin of scribble²

C17: probably from Low German; compare schrubben scrub ¹

Example Sentences

It feels like writing on paper, only your notes sync to all your devices and your scribbles are actually searchable.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead she wanted to start by working out how to pursue her top three priorities, which she scribbled down on A5 Treasury headed paper.

Read more on BBC

Here, BBC News has picked out some of the urgent messages and scribbled notes that shine a light on how critical decisions were taken in 2020.

Read more on BBC

Master Gogolev sat scribbling his poems and sobbing in a corner, where he could safely be ignored.

Read more on Literature

Once their pencils were scribbling away, Penelope went off in search of the admiral.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• jot 
• scratch 
• scrawl