What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
doodle
Example
I like to doodle in my notebook during class. [doodle: verb]
Example
The margins of his notes were filled with doodles of animals and cartoons. [doodles: noun]
scribble
Example
She scribbled down the phone number on a piece of paper. [scribbled: verb]
Example
The artist made several scribbles on the canvas before starting the final painting. [scribbles: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Doodle is more commonly used than scribble in everyday language. Doodle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scribble is less common and often has a negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between doodle and scribble?
Both doodle and scribble are informal words and are not typically used in formal writing or speech.