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 of sprinkling

• handful
• couple
• few

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

The majority of this year's hottest ZIP codes are located on the East Coast, with a sprinkling in the upper Midwest. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Think of it like a recipe, maybe adding flowers to a frosted cake or sprinkling powdered sugar atop a sponge cake; Stewart's rose gold hair injects a sprinkle of the same whimsy into the last few weeks of summertime. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 10 Aug. 2026

Navy cat-eye polish sparkles under 3D seashell ridges and a sprinkling of pearls. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 22 July 2026

Try serving with a dollop of sour cream and a generous sprinkling of powdered sugar. — Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 21 July 2026

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