dribble

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitivesport

   To move a ball forward by bouncing or tapping it repeatedly, especially in basketball or soccer.

   Grammar: Can take an object (dribble the ball) or be used without one (he dribbles well).

   Patterns

   • dribble the ball
   • dribble past someone
   • dribble down the court

   She dribbled the ball past two defenders and scored.

   He dribbles with his left hand most of the time.

   The point guard dribbled down the court and passed to a teammate.

2. 2verbintransitive

   To let liquid or saliva flow slowly from the mouth in small drops.

   Grammar: No object; often used of babies or people who cannot control their mouths.

   Patterns

   • dribble from something
   • dribble down something

   The baby dribbled milk down her chin.

   He was dribbling slightly after the dental injection.

3. 3verbintransitive

   To flow or fall in small, irregular drops.

   Grammar: No object; used for liquids like water or oil.

   Patterns

   • dribble from something
   • dribble out of something

   A little oil dribbled from the leaky pipe.

   Water dribbled out of the cracked hose.

4. 4nouncountable

   A small flow of liquid or saliva.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in the singular with 'a'.

   Patterns

   • a dribble of something

   There was a dribble of paint on the floor.

   He wiped a dribble of juice from his chin.

Word forms

Common combinations

dribble a basketball

He can dribble a basketball behind his back.

dribble past defenders

The winger dribbled past three defenders.

dribble down the court

She dribbled down the court and passed the ball.

dribble from the mouth

The medicine made the patient dribble from the mouth.

a dribble of water

Only a dribble of water came out of the tap.

Synonyms and how they differ

dribble

In soccer, 'dribble' is the standard term; in British English, 'dribble' can also mean to move the ball with small touches.

drip

For liquids, 'drip' suggests a slower, more regular fall of drops; 'dribble' suggests a weak, unsteady flow.

slobber

Used mainly for animals or babies, 'slobber' means to let saliva run out of the mouth in a messy way; 'dribble' is less messy.

Word family

dribbler noun

A person who dribbles, especially in sports.

dribbly adjective

Informal: tending to dribble or flow in drops.

Commonly confused: dribble or dribble?

Practice

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