sprinkle

[ spring-kuhl ]

verb (used with object)

, sprin·kled, sprin·kling.

1. to scatter (a liquid, powder, etc.) in drops or particles:

   She sprinkled sugar on the cake.

   Synonyms: rain, scatter, distribute

2. to disperse or distribute here and there.
3. to overspread with drops or particles of water, powder, or the like:

   to sprinkle a lawn.

4. to diversify or intersperse with objects scattered here and there.

verb (used without object)

, sprin·kled, sprin·kling.

1. to scatter or disperse liquid, a powder, etc., in drops or particles.
2. to be sprinkled.
3. to rain slightly (often used impersonally with it as subject):

   It may sprinkle this evening.

noun

1. the act or an instance of sprinkling.
2. Usually sprinkles. small particles of chocolate, candy, sugar, etc., used as a decorative topping for cookies, cakes, ice-cream cones, and the like.
3. a light rain.
4. a small quantity or number.
5. a small party given to celebrate a mother-to-be or bride-to-be as an alternative to a larger bridal or baby shower:

   We decided to skip the big baby shower and just have a sprinkle this time.

6. Archaic. something used for sprinkling:

   a holy-water sprinkle.

sprinkle

/ ˈsprɪŋkəl /

verb

1. to scatter (liquid, powder, etc) in tiny particles or droplets over (something)
2. tr to distribute over (something)

   the field was sprinkled with flowers

3. intr to drizzle slightly

noun

1. the act or an instance of sprinkling or a quantity that is sprinkled
2. a slight drizzle

Other Words From

• in·ter·sprin·kle verb (used with object) intersprinkled intersprinkling
• pre·sprin·kle verb (used with object) presprinkled presprinkling
• re·sprin·kle verb resprinkled resprinkling
• un·sprin·kled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprinkle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb sprenklen; cognate with Dutch sprenkelen, German sprenkeln; akin to Old English sprengan “to sprinkle, make (something) spring, scatter,” causative of springan “to spring”; spring

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprinkle¹

C14: probably from Middle Dutch sprenkelen; related to Old English spearca spark ¹

Synonym Study

Sprinkle, scatter, strew mean to fling, spread, or disperse. To sprinkle means to fling about small drops or particles: to sprinkle water on clothes, powder on plants. To scatter is to disperse or spread widely: to scatter seeds. To strew is to scatter, especially in such a way as to cover or partially cover a surface: to strew flowers on a grave.

Example Sentences

The resulting lush and exotic soundscape, featuring plaintive pan flute and sprinkled with birdsong, turned out to be perfect for the game’s spooktastic forest levels.

From New York Times

It starts with a pile of soy pulp, which is wrapped in banana leaves and sprinkled with the spores of a fungus called Neurospora intermedia.

From Salon

Organic strawberries from Harry’s Berries are given a light dusting of California-grown guajillo chile, a squeeze of Key lime and a sprinkle of Big Sur sea salt before being slowly dehydrated.

From Los Angeles Times

But the spicy-sweet sprinkle is also fantastic on fruit or salads.

From Los Angeles Times

"The most important thing I’ve got is a holy water sprinkler... The idea is that water is blessed and it’s then quite literally sprinkled around the house."

From BBC

Related Words

• dot
• dredge
• dust
• moisten
• pepper
• shower
• smear
• spray
• strew
• stud