Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Sprinkle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

💦
Add to dictionary

sprinkle

[ˈsprɪŋ.kəl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

on food

To scatter small drops or particles of a substance over an object or surface.

Synonyms

disperse, scatter, spritz.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
sprinkle

Often used when referring to lightly covering an area with small amounts of a substance, such as liquids or powders.

  • She decided to sprinkle some cinnamon on her latte.
  • The baker sprinkled sugar on top of the freshly baked cookies.
scatter

Used when things are thrown or spread in various directions irregularly and over a wide area. Often implies a certain level of disorganization.

  • He scattered the papers all over the desk.
  • The children scattered toys around the living room.
disperse

Generally used when something is spread widely in different directions, often implying a more even spread. Can refer to physical objects, people, or even intangible things like gases or information.

  • The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
  • The wind helped to disperse the seeds across the field.
spritz

Refers to spraying a small amount of liquid in short bursts. Common in beauty, cooking, or cleaning contexts.

  • She decided to spritz her hair with some water to refresh it.
  • Can you spritz some lemon juice on the salad?

Examples of usage

  • The chef sprinkled some salt on the dish.
  • She sprinkled some sugar on top of the cake.
  • We should sprinkle some herbs on the pizza.
Context #2 | Noun

rain

A light shower of rain.

Synonyms

drizzle, rainfall, shower.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
sprinkle

Suitable for describing very light, scattered rain, where individual drops can be felt but it's hardly wetting anything.

  • There was just a light sprinkle this morning, barely enough to get the ground damp
shower

Describes a brief period of rain, which can vary in intensity but usually not as heavy as a downpour. Showers are shorter and more intermittent.

  • The weather forecast predicts a few showers in the afternoon, so we might want to bring an umbrella
drizzle

Used to describe light rain that falls steadily and gently. It's more continuous than a sprinkle but still light.

  • I love walking in a gentle drizzle; it feels refreshing without getting soaked
rainfall

A general term referring to the amount of rain that falls over a certain period. It can be used in both scientific and casual conversations.

  • The area received heavy rainfall last night, causing some minor flooding

Examples of usage

  • We walked in the park under a sprinkle of rain.
  • The flowers in the garden were grateful for the sprinkle.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'sprinkle'

The word 'sprinkle' originated from Middle English 'sprenklen', which came from Old English 'sprencan' meaning 'to scatter'. The usage of 'sprinkle' has evolved over time to refer to both the action of scattering small drops or particles, as well as a light shower of rain.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,421, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.