dribble

American  

[drib-uhl] / ˈdrɪb əl /

verb (used without object)

dribbled, dribbling

1. to fall or flow in drops or small quantities; trickle.

2. to drivel; slaver.

3. Sports. to advance a ball or puck by bouncing it or giving it a series of short kicks or pushes.

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verb (used with object)

dribbled, dribbling

1. to let fall in drops.

2. Sports.

   1. Basketball. to bounce (the ball) as in advancing or keeping control of it.

   2. (especially in ice hockey and soccer) to move (the ball or puck) along by a rapid succession of short kicks or pushes.

noun

1. a small trickling stream or a drop.

2. a small quantity of anything.

   a dribble of revenue.

3. Sports. an act or instance of dribbling a ball or puck.

4. Scot. a drizzle; a light rain.

dribble British  

/ ˈdrɪbəl /

verb

1. (usually intr) to flow or allow to flow in a thin stream or drops; trickle

2. (intr) to allow saliva to trickle from the mouth

3. (in soccer, basketball, hockey, etc) to propel (the ball) by repeatedly tapping it with the hand, foot, or stick

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noun

1. a small quantity of liquid falling in drops or flowing in a thin stream

2. a small quantity or supply

3. an act or instance of dribbling

Other Word Forms

• dribbler noun
• dribbly adjective

Etymology

Origin of dribble

1555–65; frequentative of obsolete drib (v.), probably variant of drip

Example Sentences

Indeed, this week we are ranking the 10 most exciting wide players in the world right now - those in top form, churning out goals, assists and dynamic dribbles.

From BBC

He opened his jaws and let it dribble back into his teacup just as Gingersnipes turned around.

From Literature

Illinois coach Brad Underwood’s ideal athlete is tall but agile, with a smooth dribble and a clean jump shot.

From The Wall Street Journal

Underwood’s ideal athlete was tall but agile, with a smooth dribble and a clean jump shot.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead, the prices reflect deals for oil from Oman—just outside Hormuz—and a dribble of crude from Abu Dhabi that gets piped to the port of Fujairah, also beyond the strait’s narrowest stretch.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• drizzle
• ooze
• squirt