Word
scribbling
Phoneticsscrib·bling
US/ˈskɹɪbəɫɪŋ/
UK/skɹˈɪblɪŋ/
Definition
v. to write or draw something quickly and carelessly, so it can be hard to read. You do this when you are in a hurry or not trying to be neat.
v. to write or draw hastily with careless, often illegible marks. Typically implies speed and lack of attention to neatness rather than artistic intent.
Examples
“She is scribbling notes during the phone call.”
“The student kept scribbling ideas in the margin while the teacher explained the task.”
“Lost in thought during the long meeting, he kept scribbling loops and arrows across the page without noticing.”
Examples
simple
“She is scribbling notes during the phone call.”
contextual
“The student kept scribbling ideas in the margin while the teacher explained the task.”
complex
“Lost in thought during the long meeting, he kept scribbling loops and arrows across the page without noticing.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “scribbling” in context.
Verb
01. scribble message
“He scribbled a message on the board for his roommate.”
verb + noun
02. scribble name
“The boy scribbled his name across the book cover.”
verb + noun
03. scribble note
“She scribbled a note and left it on the fridge.”
verb + noun
04. scribble number
“Let me scribble my number on this receipt.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. scribble carelessly
“He scribbled carelessly and later could not read it.”
verb + adv
06. scribble hastily
“She scribbled hastily on a scrap of paper.”
verb + adv
07. scribble quickly
“I had to scribble quickly before the bus left.”
verb + adv
Noun
08. scribble in margin
“He scribbled the answer in the margin of his test.”
verb + prep + noun
09. scribble on paper
“She scribbled the address on paper before her phone died.”
verb + prep + noun
10. scribble a quick note
“He scribbled a quick note to thank his teacher.”
11. scribble down a phone number
“She had no phone, so she scribbled down a phone number on her hand.”
12. scribble in the margin
“She scribbled the translation in the margin of the book.”
Real-World Examples
“Sometimes she writes a letter to her own sleep and sometimes she publishes notes she’s scribbled on her hand.” “We had a really good camaraderie, finishing each other’s sentences, him on an acoustic guitar and me scribbling things down.” “I still get up in the morning, make coffee, fiddle around on the guitar and scribble down some nonsense.” “The season premiere doesn’t see the South Park sign scribbled over by the president’s dumb-guy sharpie pen.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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