scrawl
B2Informal. Commonly used in everyday speech and writing. Can be slightly pejorative when describing poor handwriting.
Definition
Meaning
To write or draw something quickly and carelessly, often in an illegible or untidy manner.
Can refer to any hasty, careless, or barely legible mark or writing. Often conveys a sense of informality, haste, or disregard for neatness.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies speed and carelessness. Often used for signatures, notes, or graffiti. Can be a verb or a noun (e.g., 'a child's scrawl').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Both varieties use it similarly.
Connotations
Slightly stronger negative connotation in British English regarding illegibility.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SBJ] scrawl [OBJ] on [PLACE][SBJ] scrawl [OBJ] across [SURFACE][SBJ] scrawl that [CLAUSE]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “scrawl one's signature”
- “the doctor's scrawl (referring to illegible handwriting)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except to criticize unprofessional notes or signatures.
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in descriptive passages or critiques of sources.
Everyday
Common for describing rushed handwriting, notes, or graffiti.
Technical
Not typical.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The postcard was just a barely legible scrawl.
- His signature was an indecipherable scrawl.
American English
- I found a scrawl on a napkin that might be the address.
- The note was in her familiar, messy scrawl.
verb
British English
- He managed to scrawl a quick note before the train left.
- Someone had scrawled rude words on the bus shelter.
American English
- She scrawled her signature at the bottom of the form.
- The taggers scrawled their symbol on the wall.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little boy scrawled his name with a crayon.
- I couldn't read the doctor's scrawl on the prescription.
- Protesters had scrawled slogans across the monument overnight.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CROW with a CLAW, scratching messy letters into the dirt – SCRAWL.
Conceptual Metaphor
WRITING IS CARELESS PHYSICAL MARKING (scratching, clawing).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'чертить' (to draw lines neatly). Closer to 'накарябать', 'написать каракулями'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'scroll' (to move text on a screen).
- Using in formal contexts where 'write' is expected.
- Misspelling as 'scrawll'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'scrawl' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, as it implies carelessness. However, it can be neutral or even affectionate when describing a child's writing.
Yes, informally, to describe messy digital handwriting with a stylus or very rushed typing.
They are very close synonyms. 'Scribble' can more often refer to meaningless marks or drawing, while 'scrawl' is more specifically for messy writing of letters/words.
Not standard. Use 'scrawled' (past participle) as an adjective, e.g., 'a scrawled message'.