verb
Uncommon
doodle
DOODL
Doodle (verb) means to draw or scribble absent-mindedly, usually while thinking about something else. Example: “He doodled little stars in the margin during the meeting.”
verb
1
To draw or scribble absent-mindedly, usually while thinking about something else.
"He doodled little stars in the margin during the meeting."
"She doodles cartoon cats whenever she's on the phone."
noun
1
A small, careless sketch made without much thought or purpose.
"Her notebook was full of doodles instead of notes."
How to use doodle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo scribble or sketch idly without really trying, or the little drawing that results.
Common pairings
doodle in the margin
idle doodle
doodle on a napkin
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Word forms
- Plural
- doodles
- Third person singular
- doodles
- Past tense
- doodled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ little stars in the margin during the meeting.
Etymology
Originally a dialect word meaning "fool" or "simpleton," from a Low German word for someone who plays the bagpipes badly; the modern "aimless sketching" sense only emerged in the 1930s, likely influenced by "dawdle."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for doodle
See all rhymes for doodle →Frequently asked questions
What does “doodle” mean?
The word “doodle” means to draw or scribble absent-mindedly, usually while thinking about something else. In plain terms, to scribble or sketch idly without really trying, or the little drawing that results.
How do you pronounce “doodle”?
“Doodle” is pronounced DOODL (/ˈdud(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “doodle” in a sentence?
Here is “doodle” used in a sentence: “He doodled little stars in the margin during the meeting.”
What part of speech is “doodle”?
Depending on how it is used, “doodle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “doodle” come from?
The word “doodle” dates back to around 1930 and comes from German. Originally a dialect word meaning "fool" or "simpleton," from a Low German word for someone who plays the bagpipes badly; the modern "aimless sketching" sense only emerged in the 1930s, likely influenced by "dawdle.".
Is “doodle” a common word?
“Doodle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “doodle” have?
“Doodle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to draw or scribble absent-mindedly, usually while thinking about something else.
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