First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1sprinkle
verb sprin·kle \ˈspriŋ-kəl\
: to drop or spread small pieces or amounts of something over something
: to put small drops of liquid on (someone or something)
: to rain lightly
sprin·kledsprin·kling \-k(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of SPRINKLE
transitive verb
1
: to scatter in drops or particles
2
a : to scatter over b : to scatter at intervals in or among : dot <sprinkled the speech with quips> c : to wet lightly
intransitive verb
1
: to scatter a liquid in fine drops
2
: to rain lightly in scattered drops
— sprin·kler \-k(ə-)lər\ noun
See sprinkle defined for English-language learners
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Origin of SPRINKLE
Middle English sprenklen, sprinclen; akin to Middle High German spreckel, sprenkel spot
2sprinkle
noun
: a light rain
: a small amount that is sprinkled on something
sprinkles : tiny candies that are put on top of a sweet food (such as ice cream)
Full Definition of SPRINKLE
1
: the act or an instance of sprinkling; especially : a light rain
2
3
plural : small particles of candy used as a topping (as on ice cream) : jimmies
See sprinkle defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SPRINKLE
1641
SPRINKLE Defined for Kids
1sprinkle
verb sprin·kle \ˈspriŋ-kəl\
sprin·kledsprin·kling
Definition of SPRINKLE for Kids
1
: to scatter in drops or particles <sprinkle water> <sprinkle sand>
2
: to scatter over or in or among <Sprinkle the corn with salt.>
3
: to rain lightly
— sprin·kler \-klər\ noun
2sprinkle
noun
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