noun

ripple

RIHPL

noun

A small wave or series of waves on the surface of water.

"A stone thrown in the pond sent ripples across the surface."

verb

To form small waves, or to spread gradually through something like a crowd.

"Laughter rippled through the audience."

How to Use Ripple

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small wave, or the spreading effect something has, like a rumor moving through a crowd.

Common pairings

ripple effect ripple through the crowd

Word Forms

rippled past tense, rippled past tense, rippled past tense, ripples plural, ripples plural, ripples plural, Ripples plural, ripples singular, ripples singular, ripples singular

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A stone thrown in the pond sent _____ across the surface.

Etymology

Believed to come from an alteration of "rimple," an older word for a fold or wrinkle.

Rhymes for ripple

nipple cripple Whipple

See all rhymes for ripple →