scroll

scroll — noun

1. a long sheet of papyrus, parchment, or paper that is rolled up and was used in t

1.nounB1
Definition

a long sheet of papyrus, parchment, or paper that is rolled up and was used in the past for writing important texts, official records, or literary works

Example

The ancient library kept hundreds of scrolls in clay jars to protect them from damage.

Eitan carefully unrolled the scroll to read the old poem written on it.

unroll a scroll + read

Common collocations
  • ancient scroll
  • papyrus scroll
  • scroll of parchment
  • unroll a scroll
  • scroll fragment
Synonyms
  • papyrus

    refers specifically to the material (made from the papyrus plant), while scroll refers to the rolled format

  • manuscript

    a handwritten document, which may or may not be in scroll form

  • parchment

    referring to the animal-skin material rather than the rolled shape

Usage Note

This sense is mainly found in historical, literary, or museum contexts. In modern everyday language, the word scroll usually refers to computer-screen navigation instead.

Common Mistakes

He wrote a letter on a scroll' (implying any piece of paper).
He wrote a letter on a sheet of paper.
a scroll is specifically a rolled document, not any flat sheet.

2. a carved, painted, or moulded pattern that curls into a curved or spiral shape,

2.nounB2
Definition

a carved, painted, or moulded pattern that curls into a curved or spiral shape, used as an ornamental detail on stone, wood, metal, or furniture

Example

The old stone pillar was covered with beautiful scroll patterns carved by hand.

collocation: scroll pattern / scroll decoration

Aylin admired the gold scrollwork on the gate of the temple.

Common collocations
  • scroll pattern
  • scroll decoration
  • scrollwork
  • carved scroll
  • gold scroll
Synonyms
  • spiral

    describes a continuous winding shape; scroll patterns are often spiral-like but may have a flat, ribbon-like look

  • filigree

    delicate ornamental wirework, more intricate and airy than carved scrolls

Usage Note

Common in descriptions of historical architecture, antique furniture, or traditional craftsmanship. Often appears in compounds like scrollwork or scroll pattern.

scroll — verb

Word family

  • scrollable
    adjectiveB2
  • scrolling
    nounB2
  • scrollwork
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Scroll, swipe, browse, and navigate all relate to moving through digital content, but they describe different actions. Scroll (CEFR A2) means moving content vertically or horizontally on a screen using a mouse wheel, trackpad, or finger drag — the content slides continuously in one direction. Swipe (B1) is a quick, one-direction finger motion on a touchscreen, often used to dismiss an item, switch pages, or reveal a menu. Browse (A2) means looking through content in a relaxed, open-ended way — you can browse a website without scrolling much. Navigate (B1) covers all movement through a digital interface, including clicking links, using menus, and typing URLs. For example: 'I scrolled through the news feed to find the story,' versus 'I swiped left to delete the email.'

scroll ↗swipebrowse ↗navigate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • scroll to the bottom
  • scroll to the top
  • scroll of honour

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicOld FrenchEnglish

Scroll comes from the Old French word escroul, meaning a roll of parchment or a list. This traces back further to the Germanic root *skrauþa, which is also the source of the English word shred. The word entered English around the 1300s. The modern computing sense — moving text on a screen — emerged in the 1970s, drawing a visual comparison between unrolling a paper scroll and revealing hidden content on a display.