drizzle

American  

[driz-uhl] / ˈdrɪz əl /

verb (used without object)

drizzled, drizzling

1. to rain gently and steadily in fine drops; sprinkle.

   It drizzled throughout the night.

2. to fall in fine drops.

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verb (used with object)

drizzled, drizzling

1. to pour in a fine stream.

   Drizzle melted butter over the breadcrumb topping.

2. to rain or let fall in fine drops or particles; sprinkle.

   He then drizzled grated cheese over the hot pasta.

noun

1. a very light rain.

2. Meteorology. precipitation consisting of numerous minute droplets of water less than 0.02 inch (0.5 millimeter) in diameter.

drizzle British  

/ ˈdrɪzəl /

noun

1. very light rain, specifically consisting of droplets less than 0.5 mm in diameter

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verb

1. (intr) to rain lightly

2. (tr) to moisten with tiny droplets

Other Word Forms

• drizzly adverb

Etymology

Origin of drizzle

First recorded in 1535–45; perhaps back formation from dryseling, dissimilated variant of Middle English drysning “fall (of dew)”; akin to Old English drēosan “to fall”; cognate with Old Saxon driosan, Gothic driusan

Example Sentences

Secret ingredient number two: a small drizzle of beef bouillon paste.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

Even rain, a rarity in a region that averages fewer than 20 days a year, has a habit of arriving during the tournament’s early-March window, occasionally bringing cold drizzle and delays.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

He’d heeded Bojsen-Møller’s advice and gone easy with the drizzle of red wine added at the end.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Brat singer Charli XCX was also among the stars braving the drizzle.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

On past the dim glimpse of land he sailed, tacking more westerly now, in a faint dank drizzle that over land might be a light snow.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• dribble
• spray
• sprinkle