sprig

1 of 2

noun

ˈsprig 

1

a

: a small shoot : twig

a sprig of parsley

b

: a small division of grass used for propagation

2

a

: heir

b

: youth

c

: a small specimen

3

: an ornament resembling a sprig, stemmed flower, or leaf

4

: a small headless nail : brad

sprig

2 of 2

verb

sprigged; sprigging

transitive verb

1

: to drive sprigs or brads into

2

: to mark or adorn with the representation of plant sprigs

3

: to propagate (a grass) by means of stolons or small divisions

Examples of sprig in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Add a rosemary sprig, with the needles pointing downwards, to the center of each glass, nestling it between the cranberries to stand upright. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025

Pour the butter over the tenderloin to coat it, making sure the thyme sprigs and onion slices are not on top. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Verb

The reversible design features a classic red-and-green plaid on one side and pretty holly sprigs on the other. —Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025

YanYan’s ivory wool twinsets, sprigged with microflorals, are a direct nod to the classic maa maa’s uniform. —Vogue, 14 Mar. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sprigge

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sprig

• big
• brig
• brigg
• dig
• fig
• gig
• jig
• mig
• pig
• prig
• rig
• swig

Kids Definition

sprig

noun

ˈsprig

: a small shoot or twig especially with leaves or flowers