doodle

1 of 2

verb

doo·​dle ˈdü-dᵊl How to pronounce doodle (audio)
doodled; doodling ˈdüd-liŋ How to pronounce doodle (audio)
ˈdü-dᵊl-iŋ
Synonyms of doodle

intransitive verb

1
: to make a doodle
2
: dawdle, trifle

transitive verb

: to produce by doodling
doodler
ˈdüd-lər How to pronounce doodle (audio)
ˈdü-dᵊl-ər
noun

doodle

2 of 2

noun

: an aimless or casual scribble, design, or sketch
also : a minor work

Synonyms of doodle

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Verb

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
His cardboard sign is written in marker pen, a tiny Chivas shirt doodled in its corner. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Art therapy isn’t just finger painting and doodling. — Hannah Silverman, Parents, 17 June 2026
Noun
There had been 13 of them, five of which were doodles. — Rachel Sugar, Curbed, 8 Apr. 2026 Yankee doodle, whose the noodle? — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for doodle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps from doodle to ridicule

First Known Use

Verb

1937, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doodle was in 1937

Phrases Containing doodle

Rhymes for doodle

See All Rhymes for doodle

Browse Nearby Words

doodia
doodle
doodlebug
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doodle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doodle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

doodle

1 of 2 verb
doo·​dle ˈdüd-ᵊl How to pronounce doodle (audio)
doodled; doodling ˈdüd-liŋ How to pronounce doodle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to make a doodle
doodler
-lər How to pronounce doodle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

doodle

2 of 2 noun
: a scribble, design, or sketch done while thinking of something else

More from Merriam-Webster on doodle

Nglish: Translation of doodle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about doodle

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