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

The race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump can, at times, feel oddly devoid of substance, with Harris’ policy goals being widely ignored and Trump’s reduced to a fading Etch-A-Sketch scribble of fringe right-wing fever dreams.

From Slate

“I miss my Africa very much and my mother too,” read a scribble in French on the wall nearby.

From Seattle Times

A black-lighted scribble on the wall in the show’s lobby spells it out: “Some of us are dead,” alluding to characters in the show that may live on only as memories or creative visions.

From Los Angeles Times

She began to mark on them in that ugly scribble the Humans use to record their primitive language.

From Literature

They might sign their tax forms in a different way than they scribble their name when checking into a hotel.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• jot
• scratch
• scrawl