sprinkle

[spring-kuhl]

verb (used with object)

sprinkled, sprinkling 

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)

sprinkled, sprinkling 

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 Word Forms

• intersprinkle verb (used with object)
• presprinkle verb (used with object)
• resprinkle verb
• unsprinkled 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

In baked goods, Walmart has had to find natural dyes that work for sprinkles, frosting and sometimes the cake itself.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

But Jeglertz has added a sprinkle of unpredictability and adaptability since his arrival in the summer.

Read more on BBC

Next weekend, the players will disperse to rugby clubs around the country to sprinkle some stardust on RugbyFest, a nationwide "open house" designed to turn new followers of the game into regular players and volunteers.

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Occasionally hobbling between the wickets, he sprinkled eight boundaries, including a six over the grandstand, through a professional innings that took the game away from Ireland before he was bowled by Ben White for 55.

Read more on BBC

And, sounding a note that is ominous for those hoping to challenge Liverpool for the title, once again this was not a performance sprinkled with the sparkle of champions.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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