drizzle

1 of 2

noun

driz·​zle ˈdri-zəl How to pronounce drizzle (audio)
1
: a fine misty rain
2
: something that is drizzled
a drizzle of syrup

drizzle

2 of 2

verb

drizzled; drizzling ˈdri-zə-liŋ How to pronounce drizzle (audio)
ˈdriz-liŋ

transitive verb

1
: to shed or let fall in minute drops or particles
2
: to make wet with minute drops : sprinkle
vegetables drizzled with olive oil

intransitive verb

: to rain in very small drops or very lightly : sprinkle
drizzlingly
ˈdri-zə-liŋ-lē How to pronounce drizzle (audio)
ˈdriz-liŋ-
adverb

Examples of drizzle in a Sentence

Noun Yes, it's raining, but it's only a drizzle. the intermittent drizzle was just heavy enough to spoil all of our outdoor activities Verb It was beginning to drizzle, so she pulled on her hood. The vegetables were drizzled with olive oil.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
It can be sliced and roasted in the oven with just a sprinkle of turmeric and a drizzle of olive oil; it can be served in a soup with ginger, coconut milk, and black pepper. Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024 Warm your cranberry sauce and drizzle over pancakes, waffles and French toast. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
Place golden beets in a medium bowl; drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette, and toss well to coat. Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2024 To be brutally honest, the pie isn't that great – for something sweet, head to nearby Salish Lodge for brunch dishes drizzled with their own honey. Neil Davey, theweek, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for drizzle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drizzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps alteration of Middle English drysnen to fall, from Old English -drysnian to disappear; akin to Goth driusan to fall

First Known Use

Noun

1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1584, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drizzle was in 1554

Dictionary Entries Near drizzle

Cite this Entry

“Drizzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drizzle. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

drizzle

1 of 2 verb
driz·​zle ˈdriz-əl How to pronounce drizzle (audio)
drizzled; drizzling
-(ə-)liŋ
: to rain in very small drops

drizzle

2 of 2 noun
: a fine misty rain
drizzly
ˈdriz-(ə-)lē
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on drizzle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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