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
The smoky sausage paste, along with a sprinkle of chipotle flakes, provides enough heat to cut through the fruit, while a drizzle of heavy cream adds a decadent cooling effect. Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024 The aroma of fresh herbs — mint and cilantro — combines with a garlicky dressing and a drizzle of tart-sweet, fruity pomegranate molasses. Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024 After all, is there anything that isn't improved with drizzle of cheese sauce? Cynthia Graubart, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024 The fries are on the thicker side, able to support the clumps of cheese and drizzles of gravy, while the faintly tart relish adds crunch and brightness to cut through the grease. The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024 Finish this savory tea party dish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. 17 of 18 Tea Party Food: Jammy Egg Salad View Recipe Not all tea party food ideas are sweet! Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2024 Finish the decadent treats with a drizzle of chocolate sauce and powdered sugar. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2024 Serve topped with a drizzle of olive oil and more red-pepper flakes, if desired. Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024 Don’t forget the seasoned soy sauce and hot oil drizzle at the end, which gently cooks the scallions scattered on each portion. Condé Nast, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2024
Verb
Lay the zucchini slices, slightly overlapping, on the cheese mixture, season well with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024 Remove from oven and drizzle with fresh lemon juice before serving. Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 13 Apr. 2024 The limited-edition donut offerings also included a donut stuffed with dark chocolate fudge cream, a donut dipped in a milk chocolate icing and drizzled with extra chocolate and one Hershey’s chocolate cake overload donut. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024 Hundreds more protested outside in the drizzling rain, many demanding a cease-fire and waving Palestinian flags. Colleen Long, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2024 Enjoy it, Isa says, with the cafe’s honeycomb bread, filled with cheese and drizzled with honey, samosas or pastries. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 It was used in households decades before similar condiments were drizzled on haute cuisine. Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024 Rich layers of chocolate stout, bourbon, and chocolate syrup, all drizzled with cream, make this drink a chocolate-lover's delight. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2024 A little of this, a little of that, with inspiration from the springtime farmers market: A salsa is more than a red or green sauce drizzled over a taco. Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024

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 26 Apr. 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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