scrawl

UK: /ˈskrɔːl/ US: /skrɔl/ ,(skrôl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

scrawl /skrɔl/  v. [~ + object]

1. to write or draw in a careless, awkward, illegible manner:
   scrawled his name on the form.

n. [countable* usually singular]

2. awkward, careless, illegible handwriting:
   Nobody could read his scrawl.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

scrawl  (skrôl), v.t. 

1. to write or draw in a sprawling, awkward manner:
   He scrawled his name hastily across the blackboard.

v.i. 

2. to write awkwardly, carelessly, or illegibly.

n. 

3. awkward, careless, or illegible handwriting.
4. something scrawled, as a letter or a note.

• perh. to be identified with late Middle English scraule to sprawl, crawl (blend of, blended sprawl and crawl) 1605–15

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scrawl / skrɔːl/ verb

1. to write or draw (signs, words, etc) carelessly or hastily; scribble

noun

1. careless or scribbled writing, drawing, or marks

Etymology: 17th Century: perhaps a blend of sprawl and crawl¹

ˈscrawly adjective