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scribble Definition

scrib·ble (skribəl)

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·bled, -·bling

  1. to write carelessly or illegibly
  2. to make or cover with meaningless or illegible marks
  3. to compose hastily, without regard to style

Etymology: ME scriblen < ML scribillare < L scribere, to write: see scribe

noun

  1. illegible or careless handwriting
  2. meaningless marks
  3. an inferior literary work

scribble Synonyms

scribble

n.

scrawl, scrabble, scratch; see handwriting.

scribble Synonyms

scribble

v.

scrawl, scratch, scrabble; see write 2.

scribble Usage Examples

Object

  • note: Felix pulled out her wine lists, pages of scribbled notes.
  • word: I'm scribbling these words on paper by candlelight.
  • something: Taking up a pen, she scribbled something on the note pad.
  • message: A long file solemnly drifted past, dropping flowers or scribbled messages on folded-up pieces of paper.

Preposition: on

  • piece: It can also result in your credit card details being scribbled on a piece of paper which someone could copy or take.
  • wall: The original signs are still on the walls, along with graffiti scribbled on the walls by soldiers.
  • paper: A few moments scribbling on paper can save a lot of time in the long run.

Modifying Another Word

  • hurriedly: Hurriedly scribbled @ 12:04 pm GMT Sunday, December 8, 2002 Strange days « Last night, I lost my wallet.
  • werehurriedly: These 543 words werehurriedly scribbled by Dave @ 10:52 AM ^Top Me About Occasional film reviews Contact Either add a comment or write.
  • furiously: However, I did manage to scribble down furiously some lines that I thought stood out.
  • hastily: Travel fairs Some of these events have noticeboards covered with hastily scribbled notes from travelers wanting company.
  • frantically: You then frantically scribble to gain altitude, just like a helicopter.
  • away: I was always scribbling away or drawing in my spare time during school holidays.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • down: A single line scribbled down in the middle of the night often forms the basis of a whole poem which is built around it.
  • on: I found the website particularly useful for printing off tables and diagrams to scribble on or to stick on the wall to revise!
  • over: I humbly let them scribble over my new copy of the album in exchange for their opinions.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • down: I meant to scribble down some opinions on Cherie Blair last week.

Possessives

  • scruff: Scruff's Scribbles - 12/07/2005 This week has been a very important week for me it's been prom week.

Particle object:

  • note: Not a big problem, all I'm doing so far is reading and occasionally scribbling down notes.

Preposition: in

  • margin: Someone has scribbled in the margin that it all seems a bit irrelevant now.
scribble Quotes

   Another damned, thick, square book! Always scribble, scribble, scribble! Eh! Mr Gibbon?

—Gloucester,William Henry, 1st Duke of

But those who cannot write, and those who can, All rhyme, and scrawl, and scribble, to a man.

—Pope, Alexander

Browse dictionary entries near scribble

  1. scribal
  2. Scriabin
  3. screwy
  4. screwworm
  5. screwed
  6. screwdriver
  7. screwball
  8. screw-up
  9. screw thread
  10. screw propeller
  1. scribbler
  2. scribe
  3. scrim
  4. scrimmage
  5. scrimp
  6. scrimpy
  7. scrimshaw
  8. scrip
  9. scrip dividend
  10. scripophily