ripple

1 of 2

verb

rip·​ple ˈri-pəl How to pronounce ripple (audio)
rippled; rippling ˈri-p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce ripple (audio)

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 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
b
: a sound like that of rippling water
a ripple of laughter
c
: a usually slight noticeable effect or reaction
ripply adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
As if this weren’t enough reason to look up, Comet SWAN will make its own cameo further east, and if weather permits, the northern lights could ripple across high-latitude skies, painting them with ribbons of green and pink. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025 When your attacker has that much time and space to pick their spot, the net needs to ripple. Beren Cross, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
The trailer gave a glimpse of Vince's son Bode (Max Thieriot) giving a speech in his honor, as well as a look at how the character's death sent ripples throughout the community, which is now in search of a new battalion chief. Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025 And the commercial ripple did follow. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ripple

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ripple was circa 1671

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ripple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripple. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

ripple

1 of 2 verb
rip·​ple ˈrip-əl How to pronounce ripple (audio)
rippled; rippling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce ripple (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on ripple

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!