scribble

1
[ skrib-uh l ]
/ ˈskrɪb əl /

verb (used with object), scrib·bled, scrib·bling.

to write hastily or carelessly: to scribble a letter.
to cover with meaningless writing or marks: to scribble all over a page.

verb (used without object), scrib·bled, scrib·bling.

to write or draw in a hasty or careless way.
to make meaningless marks, scrolls, lines, etc., with a pencil, pen, or the like.

noun

Origin of scribble

1
1425–75; late Middle English scribblen (v.) < Medieval Latin scrībillāre to scribble, derivative of Latin scrībere to write; see shrive

OTHER WORDS FROM scribble

scrib·bling·ly, adverb

Definition for scribbling (2 of 2)

scribble 2
[ skrib-uh l ]
/ ˈskrɪb əl /

verb (used with object), scrib·bled, scrib·bling.

to tear apart (wool fibers) in the first stages of carding.

Origin of scribble

2
1675–85; < Dutch schribbelen to scratch; cognate with schrobbelen to card wool coarsely, frequentative of schrobben to scrub1

Example sentences from the Web for scribbling

British Dictionary definitions for scribbling (1 of 2)

scribble 1
/ (ˈskrɪbəl) /

verb

to write or draw in a hasty or illegible manner
to make meaningless or illegible marks (on)
derogatory, or facetious to write poetry, novels, etc

noun

hasty careless writing or drawing
writing, esp literary matter, of poor quality
meaningless or illegible marks

Derived forms of scribble

scribbly, adjective

Word Origin for scribble

C15: from Medieval Latin scrībillāre to write hastily, from Latin scrībere to write

British Dictionary definitions for scribbling (2 of 2)

scribble 2
/ (ˈskrɪbəl) /

verb

(tr) to card (wool, etc)

Word Origin for scribble

C17: probably from Low German; compare schrubben scrub 1