ripple

1 of 2

verb

rip·​ple ˈri-pəl 

rippled; rippling ˈri-p(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become lightly ruffled or covered with small waves

b

: to flow in small waves

c

: to fall in soft undulating folds

the scarf rippled to the floor

2

: to flow with a light rise and fall of sound or inflection

laughter rippled over the audience

3

: to move with an undulating motion or so as to cause ripples

the canoe rippled through the water

4

: to have or produce a ripple effect : spread

the news rippled outwards

transitive verb

1

: to stir up small waves on

2

: to impart a wavy motion or appearance to

rippling his arm muscles

3

: to utter or play with a slight rise and fall of sound

rippler

ˈri-p(ə-)lər 

noun

ripple

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a shallow stretch of rough water in a stream

b(1)

: the ruffling of the surface of water

(2)

: a small wave

2

a

: ripple mark

b

: a sound like that of rippling water

a ripple of laughter

c

: a usually slight noticeable effect or reaction

ripply

ˈri-p(ə-)lē 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• bubble
• dribble
• guggle
• gurgle
• lap
• plash
• splash
• trickle
• wash

Examples of ripple in a Sentence

Verb

Water rippled under the dock.

We could see the lion's muscles ripple.

A cool breeze rippled the water.

Noun

The pebble made ripples in the pond when I threw it in.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In Southern California, where Simmons had relocated from his native New Orleans, the gyms and studios that multiplied in the 1970s and ’80s featured a common cast of characters: sinewy joggers in short shorts, men with rippling muscles, sylphlike women in leotards. —Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024

And then the now-iconic images of Trump with his fist raised, blood smeared on his face, and an American flag rippling behind him. —Kara Milstein, TIME, 15 July 2024

Noun

The Stars and Stripes ripples through the night sky at a local rodeo before a tornado tears down the middle of it. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2024

None made anything more than ripples in political music history. —David Polansky, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps frequentative of rip entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1671, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ripple

• ripple effect
• ripple mark

Kids Definition

ripple

1 of 2 verb

rip·​ple ˈrip-əl 

rippled; rippling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to become or cause to become covered with small waves

b

: to flow in small waves

2

: to make a sound like that of water flowing in small waves

laughter rippled through the crowd

3

: to move with a wavy motion

ripple

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the disturbing of the surface of water

b

: a small wave or a mark like a small wave

2

: a sound like that of rippling water