sprinkling

noun

sprin·​kling ˈspriŋ-kliŋ 

1

: a limited quantity or amount : modicum

2

: a small quantity falling in scattered drops or particles

3

: a small number distributed at random : scattering

Synonyms

• couple
• few
• handful
• scatter
• scattering
• smatter
• smattering
• sprinkle

Examples of sprinkling in a Sentence

a sprinkling of fans showed up at the airport

just a sprinkling of experience with the computer program

Recent Examples on the Web

My own curls arrived around age 13, another pubescent crisis to be dealt with along with the mustache that sprouted overnight and a sprinkling of T-zone blackheads. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2025

The Premier League has had a decent sprinkling of Swedes — from Freddie Ljungberg to Zlatan Ibrahimovic — but none have matched Isak’s scoring output in England. —Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025

In the foreground, a sprinkling of Swiss chalet-style homes, with their widely projecting roofs and wooden balconies, were covered in a fresh dusting of snow. —Alexandra Cheney, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2025

From cozy shearling to leopard print, Scandi labels, and a sprinkling of The Row, Lawrence sees herself through the seasons and elements in a various but curated selection of outerwear. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for sprinkling

• crinkling
• inkling

Kids Definition

sprinkling

noun

sprin·​kling ˈspriŋ-kliŋ 

: a very small number or amount