scroll

1 of 2

noun

ˈskrōl How to pronounce scroll (audio)
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 How to pronounce scroll (audio)
adjective

Illustration of scroll

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
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.
Noun
Also included in the gift is a hanging scroll created by the Chinese painter Zhang Chenglong at the turn of the 17th century. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Chronicling the hyper-niche behaviors that define our online existence, Berlant describes the seemingly inescapable embarrassment of wasting one’s life away in an endless scroll. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
The comedian’s become a regular on TikTok and Instagram scrolls for her character work — particularly impressions of her Italian father and German mother, the latter always in a black turtleneck, hair pulled back, glasses inexplicably atop her head. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 Before scrolling back to John’s birth, Li packs a lot of information into the novel’s first pages. — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scroll

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

1971, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of scroll was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing scroll

Rhymes for scroll

See All Rhymes for scroll

Browse Nearby Words

scrog
scroll
scroll bar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scroll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scroll. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

scroll

1 of 2 noun
ˈskrōl How to pronounce scroll (audio)
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
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