scrawl

verb

scrawled; scrawling; scrawls

transitive verb

: to write or draw awkwardly, hastily, or carelessly
scrawled his name

intransitive verb

: to write awkwardly or carelessly
scrawl noun
scrawler noun
scrawly adjective

Examples of scrawl in a Sentence

She scrawled her signature on the receipt. scrawled a quick note, stuck it in their mailbox, and hurried off
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Someone had scrawled the words marry me on the rusty derrick. Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025 Chalamet invites his Instagram followers to meet him at Regal Times Square to watch the first 30 minutes of Marty Supreme by scrawling the message on his Instagram Story in orange. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025 One of them was scrawled in orange lettering across a mirror. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025 Apatow had with him a chaotic pile of notes—scrawled by hand, photocopied, clearly out of order, some upside down. Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scrawl

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrawl was in 1612

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scrawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrawl. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

scrawl

verb
: to write or draw awkwardly, hastily, or carelessly : scribble
scrawl noun
scrawly adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on scrawl

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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