doodle

1 of 2

verb

doo·​dle ˈdü-dᵊl 

doodled; doodling ˈdüd-liŋ 

ˈdü-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to make a doodle

2

: dawdle, trifle

transitive verb

: to produce by doodling

doodler

ˈdüd-lər 

ˈdü-dᵊl-ər

noun

doodle

2 of 2

noun

: an aimless or casual scribble, design, or sketch

also : a minor work

Synonyms

Verb

• fiddle (around)
• fool around
• fribble
• goof (around)
• hang about [British]
• kick around
• mess around
• monkey (around)
• play
• potter (around)
• putter (around)
• trifle

Examples of doodle in a Sentence

Verb

She doodled in her notebook instead of taking notes.

I plan to spend the entire vacation just doodling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Kids will love doodling and practicing their numbers and letters then watching the ink magically disappear. —Laura Lu, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024

They are also easily distracted by the paper and pencil they are given to answer the questions, as these almost always lead to doodling. —Wendy Ward, STAT, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps from doodle to ridicule

First Known Use

Verb

1935, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1937, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing doodle

• cock-a-doodle-do

Kids Definition

doodle

1 of 2 verb

doo·​dle ˈdüd-ᵊl 

doodled; doodling ˈdüd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to make a doodle

doodler

-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun

doodle

2 of 2 noun

: a scribble, design, or sketch done while thinking of something else