sprinkle

1 of 2

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 2

noun

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

Synonyms of sprinkle

Verb

• spray
• pepper
• dot

Noun

• 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

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

There is just enough wry humor—think Shaun of the Dead—sprinkled throughout to keep things from getting too grim, often deriving from Bryan’s cluelessness and general lack of skills. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026

Sheets of nori are coated with tempura batter and sprinkled with a togarashi-ish spice blend. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Noun

But even in the darkest of moments, Housewives are Housewives, and Angie brings a sprinkle of levity by suggesting that Lisa is in perimenopause. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Toss with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of salt and pepper. — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

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