WordGarden.iotrickle
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /trˈɪkəl/
US
- /ˈtrɪkəl/
Meanings
Verb
to flow or move slowly in a thin stream or in small drops
to arrive, appear, or be supplied slowly in small numbers or amounts
Noun
a small slow flow, or a small amount that comes gradually
Beyond the definition
Imagine water escaping from a leaky faucet—that slow, steady flow is a trickle. It describes something moving in tiny amounts or at a very slow pace. A trickle of information might be all you get from a secretive source, and a trickle of customers on a rainy day means business is slow. You can also trickle something—like letting water trickle down your hand.
The image of something small and continuous is key to understanding "trickle." Think of a mountain stream beginning as just a trickle before growing into a rushing river. It's not a flood; it's a gentle, gradual flow.
A trickle describes a very slow and steady flow of liquid or something else moving in small amounts. Picture a tiny stream winding its way through the forest floor—that's a trickle. "The water trickled down the rocks" suggests a delicate, almost hesitant movement.
As a verb, to trickle means to flow or move in this slow, gradual way. "News of the victory began to trickle in" implies information arrived bit by bit, not as a sudden announcement. It can also mean to let something flow slowly and steadily: "He let the sand trickle through his fingers."
Beyond liquids, "trickle" can be used figuratively. A "trickle-down effect" describes how benefits given to those at the top of an organization or society are expected to eventually reach those lower down—though this is often debated! You might also talk about a "trickle of support" for a cause, meaning it's growing slowly but steadily.
Sometimes, "trickle" implies scarcity. A "mere trickle of rain" isn't enough to quench the thirst of a drought-stricken land. It emphasizes that what is flowing or arriving is minimal and insufficient on its own.
So, whether you're describing water, information, support, or benefits, a trickle suggests something moving slowly, in small amounts, and often with an implication of gradual growth or limited quantity.
Examples
- 1
Rainwater
Rainwater trickled down the wall after the storm.
- 2
Late arrivals
A few students began to trickle into the classroom after lunch.
- Patterntrickle into + place/event
arrive slowly, a few at a time
- 3
Digital replies
Replies started to trickle in once people saw the email.
- Patterntrickle in
arrive slowly, little by little
- 4
Information leaks
Details of the plan began to trickle out over the weekend.
- Patterntrickle out
become known slowly, not all at once
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Customer numbers
At first, there was only a trickle of customers.
- Patterna trickle of + people/things
a small number or amount coming slowly
- 6
Funding
The extra funding never really trickled down to local schools.
- Patterntrickle down to + people/place
gradually reach lower levels or ordinary people
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- tricklenounverb
Forms
- trickling-ing formverbnoun
- trickledpast tenseverbnoun
- tricklesverbnoun