sprinkle

1 of 4

verb

sprin·​kle ˈspriŋ-kəl 

sprinkled; sprinkling ˈspriŋ-k(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to scatter a liquid in fine drops

2

: to rain lightly in scattered drops

sprinkler

ˈspriŋ-k(ə-)lər 

noun

sprinkle

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: the act or an instance of sprinkling

especially : a light rain

2

: sprinkling

3

sprinkles plural : small particles of candy used as a topping (as on ice cream) : jimmies

sprinkler

3 of 4

noun (2)

sprin·​kler ˈspriŋk(ə)lə(r) 

plural -s

1

: a machine or device for sprinkling: such as

a

: a vehicle or an attachment to a vehicle for sprinkling streets or roads

b(1)

: sprinkler head

(2)

: sprinkler system

c

: a device for spraying plants or lawns

d

: a device for distributing sewage on a filter bed

2

: one that sprinkles: such as

a

: one that sprinkles timbers in mines with chemicals to make them proof against fire and rot

b

: one that sprinkles dry coal or dust in a mine with water to prevent explosions

c

: a laundry worker who uses a sprinkler to dampen clothes for ironing

3

: one that believes in baptism by aspersion rather than by immersion

sprinkler

4 of 4

transitive verb

"

-ed/-ing/-s

: to provide with an automatic sprinkler system

stressing the importance of having all schools sprinklered

—Springfield (Massachusetts) Daily News

Synonyms of sprinkle

Verb

• spray
• pepper
• dot

Noun (1)

• rainfall
• drizzle
• precipitation
• mist

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 (1)

It rained last night, but it was just a sprinkle.

She topped the pasta with a sprinkle of parsley.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rub each slice with the garlic clove and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026

Arrange butter evenly over onion mixture, and sprinkle with Colby Jack and pepper Jack cheeses. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026

Noun

The perfume opens with the tartness of fig sharpened by a sprinkle of black pepper. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026

Water Deeply Instead of Frequently Rather than giving herbs a quick sprinkle each day, thoroughly soak the soil. — Rachel Gillett, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (2)

Middle English sprenklen, sprinclen; akin to Middle High German spreckel, sprenkel spot

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun (1)

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for sprinkle

• crinkle
• tinkle
• twinkle
• winkle
• wrinkle
• periwinkle

Kids 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

sprinkler

-k(ə-)lər 

noun

sprinkle

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or an instance of sprinkling

especially : a light rain

2

: sprinkling

Legal Definition

sprinkle

transitive verb

sprin·​kle

sprinkled; sprinkling

: spray