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Synonyms

scribbler

1 American  
[skrib-ler] / ˈskrɪb lər /

noun

  1. a writer whose work has little or no value or importance.

  2. a person who scribbles.

scribbler 2 American  
[skrib-ler] / ˈskrɪb lər /

noun

  1. a machine for scribbling wool fibers.

scribbler British  
/ ˈskrɪblə /

noun

  1. derogatory a writer of poetry, novels, journalism, etc

"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

Etymology

Origin of scribbler1

First recorded in 1545–55; scribble 1 + -er 1

Origin of scribbler2

First recorded in 1675–85; scribble 2 + -er 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.

On the final page of “The Snakes That Ate Florida,” Mr. Frazier invokes another great scribbler, E.B.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Unlike the average social media scribbler, Lewis transformed anxiety into art.

From Salon • Feb. 29, 2024

One was chaotic and constantly bickering: Natalie Lee, the mellow yet goofy consultant whose love language is sarcasm, and Shayne Jansen, an extremely energetic real estate agent/notebook scribbler who covets validation.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2022

WSG Artistic Director Bill Largess turns in a particularly creaky performance as Sims, a world-famous scribbler who is in Hollywood to contribute to a movie adaptation of his work.

From Washington Post • Nov. 20, 2018

I don't know just how it came about, but the spinster scribbler developed a jealous streak and upbraided Will for being ungrateful for all she had done for him.

From My Actor-Husband A true story of American stage life by Anonymous

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.