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

While some might show their boredom by doodling on paper or playing on their phone, this pilot took his message to new heights – roughly 1,100 feet (335 meters). — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

His cardboard sign is written in marker pen, a tiny Chivas shirt doodled in its corner. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Noun

Participants will learn how to use pastel tints and expressive doodles to design ocean waves, seashells, coral, seaweed, and coastal plants. — Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026

Yankee doodle, whose the noodle? — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 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