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

Also included in the gift is a hanging scroll created by the Chinese painter Zhang Chenglong at the turn of the 17th century. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Chronicling the hyper-niche behaviors that define our online existence, Berlant describes the seemingly inescapable embarrassment of wasting one’s life away in an endless scroll. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

The practical read for anyone scrolling product reviews, if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or cardiovascular disease, do not experiment with mouth tape. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Nebraska native Sydney Loofe was looking for love, or at least for some fun, while scrolling through Tinder back in 2017. — Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 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