scribble

1
[ skrib-uhl ]
See synonyms for: scribblescribbling on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. handwriting, especially when illegible.

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

Words Nearby scribble

Other definitions for scribble (2 of 2)

scribble2
[ skrib-uhl ]

verb (used with object),scrib·bled, scrib·bling.
  1. 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. 2024

How to use scribble in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scribble (1 of 2)

scribble1

/ (ˈskrɪbəl) /


verb
  1. to write or draw in a hasty or illegible manner

  2. to make meaningless or illegible marks (on)

  1. derogatory, or facetious to write poetry, novels, etc

noun
  1. hasty careless writing or drawing

  2. writing, esp literary matter, of poor quality

  1. meaningless or illegible marks

Origin of scribble

1
C15: from Medieval Latin scrībillāre to write hastily, from Latin scrībere to write

Derived forms of scribble

  • scribbly, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for scribble (2 of 2)

scribble2

/ (ˈskrɪbəl) /


verb
  1. (tr) to card (wool, etc)

Origin of scribble

2
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