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

• scribbly adjective
• scribblingly adverb

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

Watching Mr. White’s Springsteen scribble down lyrics doesn’t exactly make for a revelatory cinematic experience, however.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I learned this the hard way while following along on my mat, occasionally leaning over to scribble notes — at one point, I caught the teacher’s eye.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But like everything else in the movie, it’s just a scribble in the margins.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

These days, Michael Urie spends most nights scribbling his name on Playbills after performances of “Oh, Mary!,”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ultimately for me, this season’s scribbles ended up looking something like:

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• jot 
• scratch 
• scrawl