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

It was from these areas that at Stuttgart he often showcased a unique ability - for someone so tall to dribble past defenders and link up with those around him.

From BBC

On Sunday, no player ran more than Silva's 12.84km, while no City player made more passes in the final third than his 24, nor did they attempt more dribbles than his four.

From BBC

Shoot, it wasn’t even a dribble on the big map of the United States that hung on the schoolhouse wall.

From Literature

He registered five alone on Wednesday, while his seven dribbles were also higher than any other player.

From BBC

We dribble and pass and dribble and pass while Coach barks: “Keep the ball low. You know that joint between your ankles and your hips? Those are your knees, Hooperman. Bend them!”

From Literature

Related Words

• drizzle
• ooze
• squirt