scroll

1 of 2

noun

ˈskrōl 

1

a

: a roll (as of papyrus, leather, or parchment) for writing a document

b

archaic : a written message

c

: roster, list

d

: a riband with rolled ends often inscribed with a motto

2

a

: something resembling a scroll in shape

especially : a spiral or convoluted form in ornamental design derived from the curves of a loosely or partly rolled parchment scroll

b

: the curved head of a bowed stringed musical instrument see violin illustration

scrolled

ˈskrōld 

adjective

Illustration of scroll

• scroll 1a

scroll

2 of 2

verb

scrolled; scrolling; scrolls

intransitive verb

1

: to move text or graphics up or down or across a display screen as if by unrolling a scroll

2

: to progress, move, or be revealed as if by the unrolling of a scroll

… watch scenery scroll by large picture windows.

—David Yeadon

transitive verb

: to cause (text or graphics on a display screen) to move in scrolling

Examples of scroll in a Sentence

Noun

He read from the scroll.

a scarf with lovely green scrolls on it

Verb

You have to scroll the screen to see the bottom of the Web page.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On the walls hung vertical scrolls of Chinese calligraphy. —Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026

All that’s left is to open a bunch of Chrome tabs, scroll through my top picks, get your credit card ready, and check out with a new and improved summer wardrobe. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 18 May 2026

Verb

Keep scrolling to shop eight petite-friendly styles for your next getaway, starting at just $30. —Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026

Keep scrolling to shop our favorite new drops and restocks — up to 61 percent off. —Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scrowle, blend of rolle roll and scrowe scrap, scroll (from Anglo-French escrowe, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch schrode piece cut off, Old High German scrōt) — more at shred entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1971, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing scroll

• scroll bar
• scroll saw

Rhymes for scroll

• bole
• bowl
• coal
• droll
• foal
• goal
• hole
• knoll
• kol
• mole
• noll
• nolle

Kids Definition

scroll

1 of 2 noun

ˈskrōl 

1

: a roll of paper or animal skin that has been prepared as a writing surface

especially : one on which something is written or engraved

2

: an ornament resembling a loosely or partly rolled scroll

scroll

2 of 2 verb

: to move (as text or graphics) up or down or across a display screen as if by unrolling a scroll