sprinkle

To put small drops or pieces of something over a surface.

• Sprinkle some salt on the eggs.
• She sprinkled the cake with sugar.
• Have you sprinkled water over the seeds?

How to use it: sprinkle something on/over something (Sprinkle sugar over the cake.); sprinkle something with something (Sprinkle the salad with chopped herbs.)

Similar words: scatter, dust

Common phrases: sprinkle with something, sprinkle something over, sprinkle something on

To rain with only a few small drops.

• It began to sprinkle.
• It sprinkled for a few minutes this morning.
• Is it sprinkling outside?

How to use it: it sprinkles (It was sprinkling when we left the house.)

Similar words: drizzle, rain lightly

Common phrases: begin to sprinkle, sprinkle a little, sprinkle all morning

To fall or come out in small drops, sometimes with pauses between them.

• Water sprinkled from the leaves.
• Fine drops sprinkled onto her hands.
• Rainwater was sprinkling down through the damaged roof.

How to use it: sprinkle onto something (Water sprinkled onto the path from the wet branches.)

Similar words: drip, trickle

Common phrases: sprinkle onto something, sprinkle from something, sprinkle down

A small amount of something spread lightly over a surface.

• Add a sprinkle of salt.
• She finished the card with a sprinkle of glitter.
• A light sprinkle of cheese makes the soup richer.

How to use it: a sprinkle of something (Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to your coffee.)

Similar words: sprinkling, dusting

Common phrases: sprinkle of something, a light sprinkle, a generous sprinkle

A brief or light fall of rain with only a few drops.

• We had a light sprinkle this morning.
• A sprinkle of rain cooled the pavement.
• The forecast says there may be a few sprinkles tonight.

Similar words: light shower, drizzle

Opposites: downpour

Common phrases: a light sprinkle, sprinkle of rain, a brief sprinkle