/ ˈskrɪbl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
scribble (sth) | scribble sth down to write sth quickly and carelessly, especially because you do not have much time
SYN scrawl :
[ vn ]
He scribbled a note to his sister before leaving.
She scribbled down her phone number and pushed it into his hand.
[ v ]
Throughout the interview the journalists scribbled away furiously.
2.
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] to draw marks that do not mean anything :
Someone had scribbled all over the table in crayon.
■ noun
1.
[ U , sing. ] careless and untidy writing
SYN scrawl :
How do you expect me to read this scribble?
2.
[ C , usually pl. ] marks or pictures that seem to have no meaning
SYN scrawl :
The page was covered with a mass of scribbles.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from medieval Latin scribillare , diminutive of Latin scribere write.