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

Brush the pastry with egg wash and sprinkle with fleur de sel and pepper.

From The Daily Beast

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, place on a sheet pan, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

From The Daily Beast

Sprinkle on the flour and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

From The Daily Beast

Some dried cranberries for tartness and a sprinkle of sea salt make these my all-time favorite cookies.

From The Daily Beast

Place one sheet of phyllo on the board, brush it with butter, and sprinkle it with ¾ teaspoon of bread crumbs.

From The Daily Beast

Declare ye it not in Geth, weep ye not with tears: in the house of Dust sprinkle yourselves with dust.

From Project Gutenberg

Sprinkle with cowslips and willow leaves, insert in a pie-dish and cover with a thick paste of bulrushes and marsh grass.

From Project Gutenberg

They found new streams; the parching valleys began to sprinkle with green; they saw once more fields and trees and vineyards.

From Project Gutenberg

Sprinkle some fine lake sand over the glass, dampen the sand and rub the smooth edge of the iron band over the glass.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall sprinkle them with lavender and lay them away in that dim chamber of the heart where we keep precious things.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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