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scribbling block

scribbling block

4.9
A pad of paper for quick notes and sketches
  • noun
  • /ˈskrɪbəlɪŋ blɑk/
translation icon : bloc de notas
  • She jotted down the address quickly on her scribbling block before she forgot it.

Examples

  • A scribbling block is always handy when inspiration strikes during a meeting.

  • He casually sketched a landscape on the corner of his scribbling block during the lecture.

  • I always keep a scribbling block by my bedside.

  • The artist used a scribbling block to jot down ideas.

  • A scribbling block is perfect for quickly jotting down ideas during a brainstorming session.

  • During the art class, she filled her scribbling block with sketches of various objects.

  • He wrote down his shopping list on a scribbling block to make sure he wouldn't forget anything.

Synonyms

pad
vsscribbling block
88 1.0

A stack of paper sheets fastened at one edge for writing

is used for quick preliminary notes and sketches rather than general routine tasks
pad of paper
vsscribbling block
5 1.0

A set of paper sheets joined at one edge for writing or drawing

is intended specifically for quick preliminary notes and informal sketches rather than general use
sketch pad
vsscribbling block
3 2.7

A book of blank paper for drawing or making quick pictures

is intended for quick handwritten notes and brief ideas as well as visual work
sketchpad
vsscribbling block
1 2.8

A book of blank pages for drawing

is used more for quick notes and brief written ideas rather than detailed drawing
scratch pad
vsscribbling block
1 2.3

A small pad of blank paper for quick notes and sketches

is not typically used for calculations but for quick written ideas
scratch paper
vsscribbling block
  • US
1 2.2

A piece of paper used for quick notes or rough calculations

is presented in a small bound form meant for quick preliminary notes and sketches
writing pad
vsscribbling block
1 1.1

A pad of paper for making notes or short messages

is focused more on quick preliminary sketches and informal notes
scratchpad
vsscribbling block
3.5

A small notebook for writing quick notes or doing math

is used chiefly for brief writing and sketches rather than permanent records
sketch block
vsscribbling block
  • UK
2.7

A book of blank paper for drawing quick pictures

is used more for quick written notes and informal drawings rather than finished artwork

How Informal

slip of paper
10 1.1
scribbling block
4.9
notebook
187 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

scribbling + block

The meaning 'a pad of paper for quick notes or sketches' is directly compositional: 'scribbling' (quick/messy writing) modifies 'block' (here a pad or block of paper), following a standard English noun–noun compound pattern. This purpose-driven combination is cross-linguistically common and should be inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

The noun scribbling block is a small pad of paper for quick, rough writing or drawing. The word scribbling shows the fast, messy marks you make and block means a pad, so people use a scribbling block for 'quick notes or sketches'.