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scribble

1
[ skrib-uhl ]
/ ˈskrɪb əl /
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See synonyms for: scribble / scribbling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), scrib·bled, scrib·bling.
to write hastily or carelessly: to scribble a letter.
to cover with meaningless writing or marks: to scribble all over a page.
verb (used without object), scrib·bled, scrib·bling.
to write or draw in a hasty or careless way.
to make meaningless marks, scrolls, lines, etc., with a pencil, pen, or the like.
noun
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Origin of scribble

1
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English verb scriblen, scribul, from Medieval Latin scrībillāre “to scribble,” derivative of Latin scrībere “to write”; see also shrive

OTHER WORDS FROM scribble

scrib·bling·ly, adverb

Other definitions for scribble (2 of 2)

scribble2
[ skrib-uhl ]
/ ˈskrɪb əl /

verb (used with object), scrib·bled, scrib·bling.
to tear apart (wool fibers) in the first stages of carding.

Origin of scribble

2
First recorded in 1675–85; from Dutch schribbelen “to scratch”; cognate with schrobbelen “to card wool coarsely,” frequentative of schrobben to scrub1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scribble in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scribble (1 of 2)

scribble1
/ (ˈskrɪbəl) /

verb
to write or draw in a hasty or illegible manner
to make meaningless or illegible marks (on)
derogatory, or facetious to write poetry, novels, etc
noun
hasty careless writing or drawing
writing, esp literary matter, of poor quality
meaningless or illegible marks

Derived forms of scribble

scribbly, adjective

Word Origin for scribble

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

British Dictionary definitions for scribble (2 of 2)

scribble2
/ (ˈskrɪbəl) /

verb
(tr) to card (wool, etc)

Word Origin for scribble

C17: probably from Low German; compare schrubben scrub 1
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
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