# scrabble

/ˈskɹæbəɫ/ (US) · /skɹˈæbəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scrabble
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

to move your hands and feet quickly to climb or find something. You often do this when you are in a hurry or struggling to keep your balance.

For teachers: to move or climb hurriedly using both hands and feet; to grope or scratch about frantically with the hands to find or collect something. Often implies a lack of grace or a sense of urgency.

## Examples

- The hikers had to scrabble up the steep, rocky slope.
- He had to scrabble through his messy desk to find the keys before the taxi arrived.
- As the tide began to rise, the children had to scrabble over the slippery rocks to reach the safety of the higher cliffs before the path was submerged.

## Usage notes

- Intransitive; frequently followed by prepositions of direction such as 'up', 'around', or 'through'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.