scroll

1 of 2

noun

ˈskrōl 

1

a

: a roll (as of papyrus, leather, or parchment) for writing a document

b

archaic : a written message

c

: roster, list

d

: a riband with rolled ends often inscribed with a motto

2

a

: something resembling a scroll in shape

especially : a spiral or convoluted form in ornamental design derived from the curves of a loosely or partly rolled parchment scroll

b

: the curved head of a bowed stringed musical instrument see violin illustration

scrolled

ˈskrōld 

adjective

Illustration of scroll

• scroll 1a

scroll

2 of 2

verb

scrolled; scrolling; scrolls

intransitive verb

1

: to move text or graphics up or down or across a display screen as if by unrolling a scroll

2

: to progress, move, or be revealed as if by the unrolling of a scroll

watch scenery scroll by large picture windows

—David Yeadon

transitive verb

: to cause (text or graphics on a display screen) to move in scrolling

Examples of scroll in a Sentence

Noun

He read from the scroll.

a scarf with lovely green scrolls on it

Verb

You have to scroll the screen to see the bottom of the Web page.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The scroll was first x-rayed in a synchrotron machine in an Oxford laboratory. —Francesca Aton For Artnews, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025

Once upon a planet Scholars have deciphered some of the first words from a Herculaneum scroll burned and buried in AD 79 during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025

Verb

Keep scrolling to explore even more prefab homes available at Amazon. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2025

To unlock Gen Z’s staggering $12 trillion purchasing potential, brands must position themselves on the digital channels where this generation scrolls, interacts and shops. —Roy Avidor, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scrowle, blend of rolle roll and scrowe scrap, scroll (from Anglo-French escrowe, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch schrode piece cut off, Old High German scrōt) — more at shred entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1973, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing scroll

• scroll bar
• scroll saw

Rhymes for scroll

• boal
• bole
• bowl
• coal
• droll
• foal
• goal
• hole
• knoll
• kol
• mole
• noll

Kids Definition

scroll

1 of 2 noun

ˈskrōl 

1

: a roll of paper or animal skin that has been prepared as a writing surface

especially : one on which something is written or engraved

2

: an ornament resembling a loosely or partly rolled scroll

scroll

2 of 2 verb

: to move (as text or graphics) up or down or across a display screen as if by unrolling a scroll