scrabble

¹

[ skrab-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, scrab·bled, scrab·bling.

1. to scratch or scrape, as with the claws or hands.
2. to grapple or struggle with or as if with the claws or hands.
3. to scrawl; scribble.

verb (used without object)

, scrab·bled, scrab·bling.

1. to scratch or dig frantically with the hands; claw (often followed by at ):

   scrabbling at a locked door to escape the flames.

2. to jostle or struggle for possession of something; grab or collect something in a disorderly way; scramble.

noun

1. a scratching or scraping, as with the claws or hands.
2. a scrawled or scribbled writing.
3. a disorderly struggle for possession of something; scramble:

   After the fumble, there was a scrabble for the football.

Scrabble

²

[ skrab-uhl ]

Trademark.

1. a brand name for a game combining anagrams and crosswords in which two to four players use counters of various point values to form words on a playing board.

Scrabble

¹

/ ˈskræbəl /

noun

1. a board game in which words are formed by placing lettered tiles in a pattern similar to a crossword puzzle

scrabble

²

/ ˈskræbəl /

verb

1. intr; often foll by about or at to scrape (at) or grope (for), as with hands or claws
2. to struggle (with)
3. introften foll byfor to struggle to gain possession, esp in a disorderly manner
4. to scribble

noun

1. the act or an instance of scrabbling
2. a scribble
3. a disorderly struggle

Derived Forms

• ˈScrabbler, noun

Other Words From

• scrabbler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrabble¹

1530–40; < Dutch schrabbelen to scratch, frequentative of schrabben to scrape

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrabble¹

C16: from Middle Dutch shrabbelen, frequentative of shrabben to scrape

Example Sentences

She said that smaller firms would be left "scrabbling to make sense" of the changes and called for a full consultation on each individual measure.

From BBC

Each will be given an allocation - enough so they're not scrabbling around trying to find a seat for their mum, but not enough to satisfy the inevitable requests from cousins they've not seen in years.

From BBC

It might not be up to John Cena standards, but she’s clearly figured at least a few things out along her scrabble to undeniable stardom.

From Los Angeles Times

Then she sprang off the bed and scrabbled around on the carpet, out of sight.

From Literature

He scrabbles as he falls and grabs the back of the wooden chair.

From Literature

Related Words

• scuffle
• skirmish