scrabble
scrabble Lexical Profile
scrabble Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A trademarked board game in which players use lettered tiles to form interlocking words on a gridded board for points (usually capitalized as Scrabble).
"On rainy afternoons, the family often gathered around the table for a competitive game of Scrabble."
An act of scratching, groping, or scrambling for something hastily or awkwardly.
"There was a frantic scrabble for the remaining tickets when the box office opened."
• verb
To scratch, claw, or grope around frantically or awkwardly with the hands or paws, as if searching for or trying to grasp something.
"She scrabbled around in the bottom of her bag searching for her house keys."
To clamber or move hurriedly and awkwardly using both hands and feet.
"The hikers scrabbled up the steep, rocky embankment to reach the trail."
To struggle or work hard to obtain something, especially a modest living.
"Small business owners often have to scrabble for every new contract in a tight economy."
To scribble or make hasty, illegible marks.
"He scrabbled a few quick notes in the margin of his notebook before the lecture ended."
• Rhymes for scrabble
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 16th century from Middle Dutch schrabbelen, a frequentative form of schrabben meaning 'to scratch or scrape'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.