Trickling: meaning, definitions and examples

When water or another liquid moves slowly and irregularly in small amounts. Often used to describe a light and intermittent movement.

• The rain started trickling down the windowpane.
• I could hear the water trickling from the bathroom faucet.

When a liquid, gas, or electricity moves smoothly and continuously in one direction. This word implies a consistent and often larger movement.

• The river flows gently through the valley.
• Blood flows through your veins.

Used when a small drop or continued small drops fall from a surface. Usually describes a repetitive and steady falling.

• The tap won't stop dripping.
• I felt a drip of water on my head from the leaky roof.

Describes light rain or the act of pouring a small stream of liquid over something, often used in culinary contexts.

• It started to drizzle just before we reached home.
• Drizzle some olive oil over the salad before serving.

Indicates that a liquid slowly passes through small openings. Often used to imply an unwanted or unnoticed movement.

• Water started to seep through the cracks in the wall.
• The smell of gas seeped into the room.

Used to describe a gentle, slow flow of liquid, often used when something is leaking or moving slowly.

• Water was trickling down the wall from the leaky roof.
• Sweat was trickling down his forehead after the long run.

Used to describe a continuous, steady flow of liquid, often used for natural water bodies or for streaming data/multimedia.

• The mountain stream was cool and clear.
• We watched the movie on a live stream.

Used to describe single drops of liquid falling slowly. Often associated with leaking faucets or small, steady drops.

• The faucet kept dripping despite trying to tighten it.
• She could hear the drip of rainwater from the ceiling.

Usually describes a very small, slow flow of liquid. Can also be used metaphorically to describe a slow, small amount of something.

• A trickle of water ran down the sidewalk.
• The news started to trickle in slowly.

Describes a continuous movement of liquid, often used for larger amounts of liquid. Can also describe steady, continuous movement or progress in general.

• The river flows smoothly through the valley.
• Traffic flow was uninterrupted during the holiday season.