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scrawl

scrawl

6 5.7
Messy handwriting that is hard to read
  • noun
  • /skrɔl/
translation icon : garabato
  • 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

handwriting
vsscrawl
141 1.4

The way a person writes letters and words by hand

is specifically used for messy, hard-to-read forms rather than general style
scratch
vsscrawl
13 8.1

Messy handwriting that is hard to read

is messy writing that may include poor form beyond pure illegibility
scribbling
vsscrawl
7 3.5

Messy, quick writing or drawing that is hard to read and has little meaning

is messy written words specifically, not general drawing or doodles
chicken scratch
vsscrawl
  • Informal
3 8.4

Messy handwriting that is hard to read

is the neutral term for messy, hard-to-read written words rather than slang
scribble
vsscrawl
1 3.5

Messy handwriting that is hard to read

focuses on messy produced words meant as writing rather than random marks
cacography
vsscrawl
9.9

Writing that is hard to read or shows poor spelling

is the everyday messy, hard-to-read form rather than a technical label
9.4

Messy, untidy writing or drawing that uses quick mixed lines

applies to messy written words rather than mixed graphical chaos
7.2

Thin, light writing with long, uneven lines like spider legs

is about messy legibility rather than merely thin or spidery shape

How Legible

calligraphy
17 7.1
handwriting
141 1.4
scrawl
6 5.7
scribble
1 3.5
chicken scratch
  • Informal
3 8.4

Surface Forms

scrawl singular
scrawls plural

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.