dribbles; dribbled; dribbling
1
always followed by an adverb or preposition
a
: to fall or flow in small drops
Coffee dribbled [=trickled] down the side of the mug.
Juice dribbled down his chin.
b
: to let (a liquid) fall in small drops
She accidentally dribbled wine onto the rug.
Dribble olive oil over the warm bread before serving.
2
: to let saliva or another liquid drip or trickle from your mouth
The baby dribbled [=drooled] down the back of her dad's shirt.
3
: to move a ball or puck forward by tapping, bouncing, or kicking it
She dribbled across the basketball court.
He skillfully dribbled the soccer ball towards the goal.
plural dribbles
1
: a small flow of liquid
He wiped a dribble of juice from the corner of the baby's mouth.
dribbles of blood
2
: an act of moving a ball or puck forward by tapping, bouncing, or kicking it
She gave the ball a dribble before passing it.
Cite this Entry
“Dribble.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/dribble. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
