sprin·kle
ˈspriŋ-kəl 
sprinkled; sprinkling
ˈspriŋ-k(ə-)liŋ
1
: to scatter in drops or particles
2
a
: to scatter over
b
: to scatter at intervals in or among : dot
sprinkled the speech with quips
c
: to wet lightly
Examples of sprinkle in a Sentence
Verb
He sprinkled water on the plants.
I sprinkled grass seed over the soil.
She sprinkled the clothes before ironing them.
“Is it raining?” “It's just sprinkling a little.”
Noun
It rained last night, but it was just a sprinkle.
She topped the pasta with a sprinkle of parsley.
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
According to the pros, there's no better place to go this year than the mountains sprinkled across Switzerland.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2025
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
To make oatmeal more balanced, add a scoop of Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of chia seeds, egg whites, or a teaspoon of nut butter.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprinkle
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Hard and semi-hard cheeses can be grated before freezing for easy thawing and to sprinkle easily into dishes.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
According to the pros, there's no better place to go this year than the mountains sprinkled across Switzerland.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2025
Noun
At minimum, this team is well worth a sprinkle over at FD.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
To make oatmeal more balanced, add a scoop of Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of chia seeds, egg whites, or a teaspoon of nut butter.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprinkle
Cite this Entry
“Sprinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprinkle. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sprinkle
1 of 2 verb
sprin·kle
ˈspriŋ-kəl
sprinkled; sprinkling
-k(ə-)liŋ
1
: to scatter in drops or particles
sprinkle water
sprinkle grass seed over the soil
2
a
: to scatter over or in or among
sprinkle the spaghetti with grated cheese
b
: to wet lightly
sprinkle clothes before ironing
3
: to rain lightly in scattered drops
sprinkle
2 of 2 noun1
: the act or an instance of sprinkling
especially
: a light rain
2
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