scrawl

Universal Words verb, noun verb ~ (sth) (across / in / on sth) to write sth in a careless untidy way, making it difficult to read SYNSCRIBBLE: [VN] I tried to read his directions, scrawled on a piece of paper. * [V] Someone had scrawled all over my notes. noun a careless untidy way of writing; sth written in this way: Her signature was an illegible scrawl. * I can't be expected to read this scrawl! * The paper was covered in scrawls.