sprinkle

¹sprin·kle

verb \ˈspriŋ-kəl\

sprin·kledsprin·kling\-k(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of SPRINKLE

transitive verb

1

: to scatter in drops or particles

2

a : to scatter over b : to scatter at intervals in or among : dot <sprinkled the speech with quips> c : to wet lightly

intransitive verb

1

: to scatter a liquid in fine drops

2

: to rain lightly in scattered drops

— sprin·kler \-k(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of SPRINKLE

1. He sprinkled water on the plants.
2. I sprinkled grass seed over the soil.
3. She sprinkled the clothes before ironing them.
4. “Is it raining?” “It's just sprinkling a little.”

Origin of SPRINKLE

Middle English sprenklen, sprinclen; akin to Middle High German spreckel, sprenkel spot

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SPRINKLE

Synonyms: bestrew, dot, pepper, sow, spot, spray, scatter, strew

Related Words: blanket, drizzle, dust; stud; dapple, fleck, speckle, stipple; bespatter, spatter

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Rhymes with SPRINKLE

crinkle, inkle, tinkle, twinkle, winkle, wrinkle