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

The highly publicized indictment against Williamson was sprinkled with references to her phone calls and text messages, indicating that federal investigators were likely relying on wiretapping.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There’s a light brown seasoning sprinkled on top of them, probably nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice.

Read more on Literature

It was as if someone had made a goulash out of spoiled fish, sprinkled it with pungent cheese, and then served it in an unsanitary shoe.

Read more on Literature

It was just an ordinary day in late April—a little bit cloudy with some sprinkles here and there.

Read more on Literature

Roll the dough into a ball on a board sprinkled with flour, then wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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