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

For a quick stock-up of spring basics, scroll to shop Quince’s newest spring arrivals starting at just $30. —Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

The clips are exactly the kind of thing that stops a scroll — a tiny horse hammering away at piano keys while a kid in a hospital bed lights up. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026

Verb

Then keep scrolling to shop similar purses from $30. —Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

For aspiring writers scrolling through deal announcements on industry sites or social media, those vague labels can fuel both dreams and misconceptions. —Josh Rivera, USA Today, 19 Apr. 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

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

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