sprinkle

1 of 2

verb

sprin·​kle ˈspriŋ-kəl 
sprinkled; sprinkling ˈspriŋ-k(ə-)liŋ 
Synonyms 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
sprinkler
ˈspriŋ-k(ə-)lər 
noun

sprinkle

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act or an instance of sprinkling
especially : a light rain
2
: sprinkling
3
sprinkles plural : small particles of candy used as a topping (as on ice cream) : jimmies

Synonyms of sprinkle

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Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of sprinkle in a Sentence

Verb He sprinkled water on the plants. I sprinkled grass seed over the soil. She sprinkled the clothes before ironing them. “Is it raining?” “It's just sprinkling a little.” Noun It rained last night, but it was just a sprinkle. She topped the pasta with a sprinkle of parsley.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Guests were encouraged to offer prayers by sprinkling tobacco, sage, white cedar, and sweetgrass on the fire. — Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Spray the racks with vinegar and then sprinkle baking soda over them. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
The collection also features a special Poké Ball Doughnut, glazed and dipped in vanilla icing, topped with red sprinkles and piped with chocolate icing. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026 For our Million Dollar Grits, stone-ground grits are simmered in chicken broth, then stirred together with a blend of cheeses and a sprinkle of fresh chives. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sprinkle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sprenklen, sprinclen; akin to Middle High German spreckel, sprenkel spot

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of sprinkle was in the 14th century

Rhymes for sprinkle

See All Rhymes for sprinkle

Browse Nearby Words

sprink
sprinkle
sprinkler
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sprinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprinkle. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

sprinkle

1 of 2 verb
sprin·​kle ˈspriŋ-kəl 
sprinkled; sprinkling -k(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to scatter in drops or particles
sprinkle water
sprinkle grass seed over the soil
2
a
: to scatter over or in or among
sprinkle the spaghetti with grated cheese
b
: to wet lightly
sprinkle clothes before ironing
3
: to rain lightly in scattered drops
sprinkler
-k(ə-)lər 
noun

sprinkle

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act or an instance of sprinkling
especially : a light rain
2
: sprinkling

Legal Definition

sprinkle

transitive verb
sprin·​kle
sprinkled; sprinkling
: spray
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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