First Known Use: circa 1589
Dictionary
1dribble
verb drib·ble \ˈdri-bəl\
: to fall or flow in small drops
: to let (a liquid) fall in small drops
: to let saliva or another liquid drip or trickle from your mouth
drib·bleddrib·bling \-(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of DRIBBLE
transitive verb
1
: to issue sporadically and in small bits
2
: to let or cause to fall in drops little by little
3
a : to propel by successive slight taps or bounces with hand, foot, or stick <dribble a basketball> <dribble a puck> b : to hit (as a baseball) so as to cause a slow bouncing
intransitive verb
1
: to fall or flow in drops or in a thin intermittent stream : trickle
2
: to let saliva trickle from the corner of the mouth : drool
3
: to come or issue in piecemeal or desultory fashion
4
— drib·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun
See dribble defined for English-language learners
See dribble defined for kids
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Origin of DRIBBLE
frequentative of drib to dribble
2dribble
noun
: a small flow of liquid
: an act of moving a ball or puck forward by tapping, bouncing, or kicking it
Full Definition of DRIBBLE
1
: a tiny or insignificant bit or quantity
2
: a small trickling stream or flow
See dribble defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DRIBBLE
circa 1680
Related to DRIBBLE
Other Field and Goal Sports Terms
DRIBBLE Defined for Kids
1dribble
verb drib·ble \ˈdri-bəl\
drib·bleddrib·bling
Definition of DRIBBLE for Kids
1
: to fall or let fall in small drops : trickle <Water dribbled out of the crack.>
2
: to let saliva or other liquid drip or trickle from the mouth
3
: to move forward by bouncing, tapping, or kicking <dribble a basketball>
2dribble
noun
Definition of DRIBBLE for Kids
1
: a trickling flow
2
: the act of moving a ball or puck forward by bouncing, kicking, or tapping it
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