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

With beautiful sites like Saint Peter’s Square covered with a sprinkling of snow, Venice's canals lined with fewer crowds, or the picturesque, ski-ready Dolomites, Italy can be an amazing winter destination—and this American living in the Bel Paese is here to tell you exactly how to dress for it. —Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2025

Across five selling floors, there’s a sprinkling of interactive displays — from giant funhouse-type mirrors and gummy ball machines to a floating piano playing festive tunes and horns whispering gift ideas in your ear. —David Moin, Footwear News, 18 Nov. 2025

And indeed, the archival record shows Madrid returning again and again to trade-and-mission policies (with a sprinkling of missionary work aimed at establishing and consolidating influence) rather than grand amphibious invasion and continental conquest. —Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025

The theme of the 2025 NFL season’s Week 8 was gnarly blowouts from pre-game favorites, with a sprinkling of shock results. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 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