scribble

¹

[ skrib-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, scrib·bled, scrib·bling.

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)

, scrib·bled, scrib·bling.

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)

, scrib·bled, scrib·bling.

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)

Derived Forms

• ˈscribbly, adjective

Other Words From

• scrib·bling·ly 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

Alles could hardly get his answer out before Porter scribbled more math on the board.

From Washington Post

She turns to the board on her left to scribble some numbers.

From Washington Post

Whether scribbling your first multiplication facts or shading intricate works of art, it is important to consider the type and variety of pencils available in the marketplace.

From Popular-Science

Coupled with the new iPadOS 14 and the Apple Pencil, people can do tasks like scribble notes on their iPad.

From Fortune

While my jobs have all been all-consuming, whenever I had spare moments I would scribble down ideas, noodle over business plans, even conduct small pilots and experiments.

From Fortune

I scribble the numbers on the paper, and then I look up with a start.

From The Daily Beast

It is much easier to just scribble out a prescription without thinking, but doing so is lazy and poor patient care.

From The Daily Beast

Atop each page of his notebook McCartney would scribble ANOTHER LENNON-MCCARTNEY ORIGINAL.

From The Daily Beast

Journalists will still scribble down the things they say, but most Americans have by now tuned all that toxicity out.

From The Daily Beast

Then I scribble down a paragraph here, a paragraph there, when a notion strikes.

From The Daily Beast

This habit of scribble may persist after a child attempts a linear description of the parts of an object.

From Project Gutenberg

Porky pulled out his check-book and begun to scribble with one of them squirt-gun pens.

From Project Gutenberg

Peter hurried away, pausing for a moment in the promenade to scribble a line or two at the back of one of his own cards.

From Project Gutenberg

After lunch felt so sick of scribble, scribble, scribble whilst adventure sat seductive upon my doorstep that I fluttered forth.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he took out a notebook and his famous fountain pen, and began to scribble.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• jot
• scratch
• scrawl