doodle

1 of 2

verb

doo·​dle ˈdü-dᵊl 

doodled; doodling ˈdüd-liŋ 

ˈdü-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to make a doodle

2

: dawdle, trifle

transitive verb

: to produce by doodling

doodler

ˈdüd-lər 

ˈdü-dᵊl-ər

noun

doodle

2 of 2

noun

: an aimless or casual scribble, design, or sketch

also : a minor work

Synonyms of doodle

Verb

• play

Examples of doodle in a Sentence

Verb

She doodled in her notebook instead of taking notes.

I plan to spend the entire vacation just doodling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Their razor-thin chances of retaking the House appeared to be dissolving as Republicans simply broke out their Sharpies and started doodling on maps. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

The whole thing plays like something concocted by an 8th grader sitting in the back of biology class and doodling movie ideas in his notebook, offering more proof that Besson has never quite risen above the juvenile tendencies of his early years. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

The sneaker’s mix of bright and vibrant pastels were chosen to express joy and its design is packed with doodles and characters drawn by Avery. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2026

The golden doodles would always bark when someone approached the house, said Ashley’s father, Todd Smith. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps from doodle to ridicule

First Known Use

Verb

1937, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1937, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing doodle

• cock-a-doodle-do

Rhymes for doodle

• boodle
• feudal
• noodle
• poodle

Kids Definition

doodle

1 of 2 verb

doo·​dle ˈdüd-ᵊl 

doodled; doodling ˈdüd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to make a doodle

doodler

-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun

doodle

2 of 2 noun

: a scribble, design, or sketch done while thinking of something else