dribble

American  

[drib-uhl] / ˈdrɪb əl /

verb (used without object)

• dribbles,
  present (3rd person singular)
• dribbled,
  past participle,  past
• dribbling
  present participle

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)

• dribbles,
  present (3rd person singular)
• dribbled,
  past participle,  past
• dribbling
  present participle

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

• dribbles
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• dribbler
  noun
• dribbly
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• dribbles
  plural

Participles

• dribbling
  present
• dribbled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• dribble
  simple
• dribbles
  simple
• have dribbled
  perfect
• has dribbled
  perfect
• am dribbling
  progressive
• are dribbling
  progressive
• is dribbling
  progressive
• have been dribbling
  perfect progressive
• has been dribbling
  perfect progressive

Past

• dribbled
  simple
• had dribbled
  perfect
• was dribbling
  progressive
• were dribbling
  progressive
• had been dribbling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will dribble
  simple
• will have dribbled
  perfect
• will be dribbling
  progressive
• will have been dribbling
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of dribble

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

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Explanation

A dribble is a slow, steady flow of water. Or, if you are a basketball player, you dribble the ball to make your way towards the basket. Dribbling consists of tiny drops of water (or another liquid) dripping. If you've ever had a leaky faucet going drip-drip-drip-drip, then you know exactly what dribbling is like, and how annoying it can be. Dribbling in basketball isn't annoying at all; in fact, it's an essential skill. If you think about it, the repeated tap-tap-tap of the ball sounds a bit like the drip-drip-drip of the water dribbling.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dribble dribbles dribbled dribbling

Jorrel Hato: Operating in an unfamiliar wing-back role, the defender produced a promising early dribble and adapted well.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

In a recent game at Golden State, her dribble behind the back to create space for a 3-pointer left a Valkyries player staggering backward and grabbing her ankles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026

For him, the human connection, human respect is as important — if not more important — than the ability to dribble through tight spaces.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026

The second, an act of pure genius - a daring dribble from his own half leaving England players velcroed to the Azteca turf, before grounding and rounding goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026

His hair is sticking up, and there’s a dribble of chocolate ice cream on his white shirt.

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins

Palmer was creative, physically impressive and produced several superb dribbles before scoring an excellent third goal.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

Williams completed 43.8% of his 153 dribbles last season, scored six goals and registered three assists in a campaign that was disrupted by injury.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

Tel completed more dribbles, with 39 to Gakpo's 34, although Gakpo posted the slightly better success rate at 45.95%.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

At Cagliari, Palestra attempted 73 dribbles over distances of more than 5m - the most by any defender in Serie A - with only Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz recording more in the competition.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

Watch this, Nick, he says, then dribbles to the center of his backyard and flame throws a banana kick so swift, it basically splits the air, then sizzles right into his doghouse.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander

While just two players have dribbled past their opponent more than Lionel Messi at this World Cup, his team-mates have rarely attempted to do the same.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

Best scored United's second goal in the final after he dribbled round the Benfica goalkeeper.

From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026

Kiki Rice dribbled to the hoop, deked and then put up a shot over the Toronto Tempo practice squad, crisp ombre blue-and-burgundy nails releasing the ball into the basket.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 2026

On the field, Maradona dazzled fans as he dribbled around defenders like no else could.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026

He dribbled between his legs before shooting a floater in the paint.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

With a lot of these jokes it’s like dribbling a football, you just don’t know where it’s going to land.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

England fan completes challenge dribbling ball from Africa.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026

There’s no dribbling here, no sudden change of direction, or blur of delicate touches.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

The Barcelona forward's excellent ball control and dribbling skills clearly unsettles defences and pulled the Austrian defenders towards him to create more space for Oyarzabal.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

“Last night,” Kenny said, “and my mother has already told me thirty-seven times to make myself useful, stay out of trouble and stop dribbling the ball in the house.”

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen

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Related Words

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