# scrolling

/ˈskɹoʊɫɪŋ/ (US) · /skɹˈəʊlɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. moving through digital content

noun · CEFR B1

the movement of text or pictures up, down, or across a computer or phone screen.

For teachers: the continuous movement of text or graphical images on a digital display in a vertical or horizontal direction.

- The smooth scrolling on this new tablet makes reading long articles much easier.
- The developer optimised the website's code to ensure that scrolling remained fluid even when high-resolution images were loading in the background.

### 2. consuming social media

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

spending a long time looking through posts on social media apps.

For teachers: the continuous and often aimless consumption of social media content, typically facilitated by an infinite feed.

- I realized I had spent an hour scrolling through TikTok when I should have been sleeping.
- Psychologists are increasingly concerned that mindless scrolling before bed can negatively impact sleep quality and overall mental well-being.

### 3. decorative patterns

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

designs or decorations that look like curled paper or spirals.

For teachers: ornamental work consisting of or featuring spiral or coiled patterns.

- The old wooden mirror was decorated with beautiful gold scrolling around the edges.
- The architect incorporated intricate stone scrolling into the building's facade to mirror the classical style of the surrounding district.

## Examples

- I spend too much time scrolling through social media.
- Endless scrolling on news apps can lead to digital fatigue and decreased attention spans over time.
- The interface design prioritises smooth scrolling to ensure that users can navigate through the extensive product catalogue without experiencing visual lag or stuttering.

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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.