Doodle means to draw or scribble absentmindedly, usually while your mind is focused on something else. When you're listening to a long lecture or sitting through a boring phone call, you might find yourself doodling little stars, swirls, or random patterns in the margins of your notebook without really thinking about it.

The word can also refer to the drawings themselves: those casual sketches and designs are called doodles. Unlike careful artwork where you plan every line, doodles just flow out naturally. You might doodle cartoon faces during class, or cover your paper with geometric shapes while listening to instructions.

Some famous people were serious doodlers. President John F. Kennedy doodled sailboats during meetings, and inventors often doodle while thinking through problems. Scientists have found that doodling can actually help you concentrate and remember information better, because it keeps part of your brain busy enough that you don't get completely distracted.