scrawl

/skɹɔːl/

//skɹɔːl// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"scrawl" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“scrawl” is an uncommon English word, ranked #69,429 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#69,429
frequency rank, English
6
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Irregular, poor handwriting; especially, such writing that is illegible.

Key facts for scrawl
PropertyValue
Headwordscrawl
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/skɹɔːl/
Letters6
Frequency rank#69,429
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “scrawl” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). scrawl lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for scrawl is 6 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /skɹɔːl/. Corpus data places it at rank #69,429 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 5 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

scrawl doesn't appear in our generated misspelling index, a sign its spelling follows regular English conventions. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, since no other headword is close enough in sound or shape to pair with it.

Etymologically, the entry records: Possibly from Middle English scraulen (“to spread out one's limbs; sprawl”), itself an alteration of spraulen (“to sprawl”) or craulen, crawlen (“to crawl”). Alternatively, from scrall, a contraction of scrabble. The correct English form is scrawl, spelled S-C-R-A-W-L.

Definition

  1. 1
    Irregular, poor handwriting; especially, such writing that is illegible.
  2. 2
    A hastily or carelessly written note etc.
  3. 3
    Writing that lacks literary merit.
  4. 4
    A broken branch of a tree.
  5. 5
    The young of the dog-crab.

Etymology

Possibly from Middle English scraulen (“to spread out one's limbs; sprawl”), itself an alteration of spraulen (“to sprawl”) or craulen, crawlen (“to crawl”). Alternatively, from scrall, a contraction of scrabble.

This word in other languages

garrapateo(Español)griffonnage(Français)Gekritzel(Deutsch)garrancho(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "scrawl"?
"scrawl" is spelled S-C-R-A-W-L. The IPA pronunciation is /skɹɔːl/.
What does "scrawl" mean?
As a noun, "scrawl" means: Irregular, poor handwriting; especially, such writing that is illegible.
How do you pronounce "scrawl"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "scrawl" is /skɹɔːl/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "scrawl"?
Possibly from Middle English scraulen (“to spread out one's limbs; sprawl”), itself an alteration of spraulen (“to sprawl”) or craulen, crawlen (“to crawl”). Alternatively, from scrall, a contraction of scrabble. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “scrawl”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is S-C-R-A-W-L - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /skɹɔːl/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list