1 C1 informal
To produce a written notice, sign, or document hastily and in untidy handwriting.
"She scrawled up a 'Back in 5 minutes' sign and stuck it to the shop window."
separable
scrawl up
C1 informal separable transitive
To hastily produce a written document or message in messy handwriting.
In plain English
To quickly write something (like a note or sign) in a messy, hard-to-read way.
What does "scrawl up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scrawl (write messily) something up (into a completed item).
Actually means
To quickly write something (like a note or sign) in a messy, hard-to-read way.
Usage tip
Rare. Carries connotations of urgency and poor penmanship. The 'up' particle suggests producing something as a finished item, however rough. Likely to be encountered in fiction rather than everyday speech.
Words that pair with "scrawl up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
sign note message poster list
How to conjugate "scrawl up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scrawl up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrawls up
he/she/it
Past simple
scrawled up
yesterday
Past participle
scrawled up
have + pp
-ing form
scrawling up
continuous
Hear "scrawl up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "scrawl up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "scrawl up"
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