rivulets

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableliterary

   Very small streams of water, or thin lines of liquid running along a surface.

   Grammar: Countable; the singular is rivulet. Often used in the plural: rivulets of sweat.

   Patterns

   • rivulets of something
   • rivulets run down something
   • rivulets form

   After the storm, rivulets ran down the hillside and joined the main stream.

   Sweat formed rivulets on his forehead as he worked in the sun.

   Tiny rivulets of rainwater trickled between the stones of the path.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   Thin, narrow lines or streams of something that flows or spreads like water.

   Grammar: Used figuratively for things that flow in narrow streams, such as tears or sand.

   Patterns

   • rivulets of tears
   • rivulets of something

   Rivulets of tears ran down her cheeks.

   A rivulet of sand poured from the broken bag.

Word forms

Common combinations

rivulets of sweat

Rivulets of sweat ran down his back.

rivulets of water

Rivulets of water flowed across the road.

rivulets run down

Rivulets ran down the window.

small rivulets

Small rivulets formed in the wet earth.

Synonyms and how they differ

streamlet

A very small stream; streamlet is even more literary and less common than rivulet.

brook

A small natural stream of water; a brook is usually larger and more permanent than a rivulet.

trickle

A small, slow flow of liquid; trickle often suggests movement, while rivulet suggests a narrow channel.

Word family

rivulet noun

Singular form; a very small stream.

Commonly confused: rivulets or river? rivulets or rivet?

Practice

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