puddle

1 of 2

noun

pud·​dle ˈpə-dᵊl 

1

: a very small pool of usually dirty or muddy water

2

a

: an earthy mixture (as of clay, sand, and gravel) worked while wet into a compact mass that becomes impervious to water when dry

b

: a thin mixture of soil and water for puddling plants

puddle

2 of 2

verb

puddled; puddling ˈpəd-liŋ 

ˈpə-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to dabble or wade around in a puddle

transitive verb

1

: to make muddy or turbid : muddle

2

a

: to work (a wet mixture of earth or concrete) into a dense impervious mass

b

: to subject (iron) to the process of puddling

3

a

: to strew with puddles

b

: to compact (soil) especially by working when too wet

c

: to dip the roots of (a plant) in a thin mud before transplanting

puddler

ˈpəd-lər 

ˈpə-dᵊl-ər

noun

Synonyms of puddle

Noun

• pool

Examples of puddle in a Sentence

Noun

She accidentally stepped in a puddle and got her shoes wet.

After the storm, the road was covered in deep puddles.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control. —Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026

Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control. —Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026

Verb

Fix leaks immediately and make sure water doesn’t puddle up near your home. —Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026

The flare fit also offers a bit more structure to these pants, unlike your run-of-the-mill linen pants, which usually puddle at the ankle. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English podel; akin to Low German pudel puddle, Old English pudd ditch

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing puddle

• puddle duck
• puddle jumper

Rhymes for puddle

• cuddle
• huddle
• muddle

Kids Definition

puddle

1 of 2 noun

pud·​dle ˈpəd-ᵊl 

: a very small pool (as of dirty or muddy water)

puddle

2 of 2 verb

puddled; puddling ˈpəd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to make muddy

2

: to cover with puddles

puddler

-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun