scrawl
5
5.7
- noun
- /skrɔl/
- Lenny was looking over his shoulder and making a face at the scrawls on his notepad.
Examples
-
I could barely decipher the letter because of the author's messy scrawl.
-
The envelope was labeled in Carolyn's scrawl: Woodrow Wilson Public Library, Things Found in Books.
Fiction book (2000) -
Not certain you can read my scrawl.
-
One was even returned to me with a thin pencil scrawl: "It's the food guy again."
Fiction book (2002) -
The second in my father's scrawl is for twenty dollars, numbers and letters.
Fiction book (2002) -
Just seeing the familiar scrawl across the thin envelope calls up the old ache.
Fiction book (1997) -
On the other side, written in a childish scrawl was Dennis's reply: "I love you too."
Fiction book (1994) -
I wondered what a handwriting expert would make of that childish scrawl of hers.
-
The childlike scrawl across all the ransom notes is, when compared to his normal script, unequivocally the feebly disguised hand of the accused, Mr. Bunton.
-
Her scrawl was so difficult to read that I had to ask for clarification.
Synonyms
137
1.4
The way a person writes letters and words by hand
4
8.4
Messy handwriting that is hard to read
3
8.1
Messy handwriting that is hard to read
3
3.5
Messy, quick writing or drawing that is hard to read and has little meaning
1
3.5
Messy handwriting that is hard to read
1
7.2
Thin, light writing with long, uneven lines like spider legs
1
9.9
Writing that is hard to read or shows poor spelling
1
9.4
Messy, untidy writing or drawing that uses quick mixed lines
How Legible
Surface Forms
Etymology
Scrawl probably comes from old words meaning 'to scratch' or 'to scrape'. Think of it like scribble — letters made by scratching quickly — so a scrawl is messy writing that is hard to read.