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

Small disruptions—even those that last just a few hours—can ripple through workplace morale and trust. —William Arruda, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Two bulls, each weighing over 1,300 pounds, ram heads and jab horns as their muscles ripple under velvety coats. —Chang W. Lee, New York Times, 7 June 2025

Noun

Her pointed-toe pumps were cut from the same light hue as the denim in the ripples of her jacket and trousers, creating an uninterrupted visual line from top to toe. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 4 June 2025

The effects of ending research on trans health ripple throughout the scientific community, the communities served by this work and the U.S. economy. —Paz Galupo, The Conversation, 2 June 2025

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

Rhymes for ripple

• cripple
• nipple
• stipple
• tipple
• triple
• participle
• schizotypal

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