scrawl

[ skrawl ]
/ skrɔl /

verb (used with object)

to write or draw in a sprawling, awkward manner: He scrawled his name hastily across the blackboard.

verb (used without object)

to write awkwardly, carelessly, or illegibly.

noun

awkward, careless, or illegible handwriting.
something scrawled, as a letter or a note.

Origin of scrawl

1605–15; perhaps to be identified with late Middle English scraule to sprawl, crawl (blend of sprawl and crawl1)

OTHER WORDS FROM scrawl

un·scrawled, adjective un·scrawl·ing, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for scrawled

British Dictionary definitions for scrawled

scrawl
/ (skrɔːl) /

verb

to write or draw (signs, words, etc) carelessly or hastily; scribble

noun

careless or scribbled writing, drawing, or marks

Derived forms of scrawl

scrawler, noun scrawly, adjective

Word Origin for scrawl

C17: perhaps a blend of sprawl and crawl 1