scribble
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to write hastily or carelessly.
to scribble a letter.
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to cover with meaningless writing or marks.
to scribble all over a page.
verb (used without object)
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to write or draw in a hasty or careless way.
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to make meaningless marks, scrolls, lines, etc., with a pencil, pen, or the like.
noun
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a note or other writing that has little or no meaning.
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a hasty or careless drawing or piece of writing.
-
handwriting, especially when illegible.
verb (used with object)
verb
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to write or draw in a hasty or illegible manner
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to make meaningless or illegible marks (on)
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derogatory to write poetry, novels, etc
noun
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hasty careless writing or drawing
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writing, esp literary matter, of poor quality
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meaningless or illegible marks
verb
Other Word Forms
- scribblingly adverb
- scribbly adjective
Etymology
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
You had this rough scribble of a brick base with a curvy wave over the top of it.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
He watched her scribble notes during his performance.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026
To entertain themselves, they used notebooks to scribble down funny or vivid things other people brought up in their treatment groups, they said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025
They scribble their names into guestbooks at museums showcasing Aral artifacts.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 26, 2024
These words, too, faded away, but not before Harry had started to scribble back.
From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
