Definition of RIPPLE

ripple

Plural: ripples

Noun

  • a small wave on the surface of a liquid
  • (electronics) an oscillation of small amplitude imposed on top of a steady value
  • A moving disturbance, or undulation, in the surface of a fluid.
  • A sound similar to that of undulating water.
  • A style of ice cream in which flavors have been coarsely blended together.
  • A small oscillation of an otherwise steady signal.
  • An implement, with teeth like those of a comb, for removing the seeds and seed vessels from flax, broom corn, etc.

Verb

Verb Forms: rippled, rippling, ripples

  • To form or cause to form small, light waves.
  • stir up (water) so as to form ripples
  • flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise
  • To move like the undulating surface of a body of water; to undulate.
  • To propagate like a moving wave.
  • To make a sound as of water running gently over a rough bottom, or the breaking of ripples on the shore.
  • To shape into a series of ripples.
  • To launch or unleash in rapid succession.
  • To scratch, tear, or break slightly; graze
  • To remove the seeds from (the stalks of flax, etc.), by means of a ripple.

Examples

  • A single letter played can "RIPPLE" across the entire Scrabble board, changing everything.
  • I dropped a small stone into the pond and watched the ripples spread.
  • I enjoy fudge ripple ice cream, but I especially like to dig through the carton to get at the ripple part and eat only that.
  • The ebbing tide had left ripples in the sand.

Origin / Etymology

From an alteration of rimple.

Scrabble Score: 10

ripple: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
ripple: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
ripple: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

ripple: valid Words With Friends Word