dribble
dribble Lexical Profile
dribble Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To move a ball forward using repeated slight touches of the feet or a stick, or by continuous bouncing with the hand (in soccer, hockey, or basketball).
"The point guard learned to dribble effortlessly with either hand while scanning the court."
To fall or let fall slowly in small drops or a thin, unsteady stream (of a liquid).
"Melted chocolate began to dribble down the side of the warm cake."
To let saliva run from the mouth.
"The infant started to dribble as his first front teeth began to emerge."
• noun
A thin, slow stream of liquid falling in small drops, or a small quantity of something arriving bit by bit.
"Only a faint dribble of water came out of the rusty garden faucet."
An act of propelling a ball forward with repeated slight touches or bounces, as in soccer, basketball, or field hockey.
"The winger beat two defenders with a skillful dribble down the touchline."
British Saliva running involuntarily from the mouth.
"She gently wiped a bit of dribble from the teething baby's chin."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'dribble' with 'drivel'; while both share an etymological connection to drooling, in modern usage 'drivel' is used almost exclusively to mean nonsense or foolish talk.
• Rhymes for dribble
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Recorded in the mid-16th century as 'dribyl', an alteration of earlier 'drivel' (from Old English 'dreflian', meaning to slobber), later influenced by the verb 'drip' and the frequentative suffix '-le'.