Scribble

/ˈskrɪb.əl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a piece of writing or drawing that is messy, hasty, or illegible.

The child handed me a scribble that looked like a house.

a hasty or careless piece of writing.

Her scribble on the back of the envelope was barely readable.

verb

to write or draw carelessly and not clearly.

She scribbled a note to herself during the meeting.

to write in a hurried or careless way.

He scribbled down the phone number before it slipped his mind.

The word 'scribble' comes from the Latin 'scribere', meaning 'to write'.

Scribble away

To write or draw in a carefree or uninhibited manner.

Scribble something down

To write something hastily.

Scribbles on the side

Notes or drawings made on the margins or edges.

scrawl

To write or draw carelessly and quickly.

doodle

A simple, spontaneous drawing made while a person's attention is otherwise occupied.

jot

To write something down quickly.

To write illegibly.

Stop scribbling! I can't read your notes.

To make a hasty or messy note.

I just scribbled my grocery list on a napkin.