Quick answer
Dribble means to let liquid fall in small drops, or to flow weakly and untidily. It is usually pronounced DRIB-ul, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Dribble
To dribble means to let liquid fall in small drops, or to flow weakly and untidily. It belongs to food and bodily oddities and works best in comic description, bodily discomfort, and odd old domestic vocabulary. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
foodbodilygross
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If you dribble, you to let liquid fall in small drops, or to flow weakly and untidily. The verb usually suggests something more expressive, comic, or textured than a plain everyday substitute.
Why this word feels absurd
Dribble feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Dribble is generally traced to origin uncertain. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Dribble is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- The interns began to dribble at once when the projector failed again.
- He dribbleed through the explanation so fast that nobody trusted the final answer.
- In the play, nervous witnesses dribble whenever the magistrate clears his throat.
- She refused to dribble about the crisis and gave the room a usable plan instead.
- The children dribbleed excitedly after finding the attic full of costumes.
When should you use this word?
Use dribble when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic description, bodily discomfort, and odd old domestic vocabulary.
Similar words
aspic, belch, blancmange, blubber, bubble-and-squeak
Opposite or contrasting words
comfort, steadiness, bodily ease
Common questions
- What does dribble mean? to let liquid fall in small drops, or to flow weakly and untidily.
- How do you pronounce dribble? It is commonly pronounced DRIB-ul.
- Is dribble still used today? Dribble is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use dribble? Use dribble when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic description, bodily discomfort, and odd old domestic vocabulary.
- What words are similar to dribble? Similar words include aspic, belch, blancmange, and blubber.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.