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

• scribblingly adverb
• scribbly adjective

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

My Big Prep Day always begins with a scribbled list — nothing fancy, just a notebook page split into columns.

From Salon

“The world has changed,” he scribbled in a note to himself.

From Salon

The Spaniard scribbled: "Go for it. Don't be afraid."

From BBC

Jacob Bethell can now add another bullet point to the notebook he uses to scribble down reminders before going out to bat.

From BBC

Related Words

• jot 
• scratch 
• scrawl