Word
drip
US/ˈdɹɪp/
UK/dɹˈɪp/
Definitions
01to fall in drops
B1 · Intermediate
v. to fall in small drops of liquid, one by one.
v. to fall in separate drops; can be used intransitively for the liquid itself or transitively for the object releasing the liquid.
Español:escurrir
“Water started to drip from the ceiling after the heavy rain.”
“The leaky faucet continued to drip throughout the night, creating a rhythmic sound that made it impossible for him to sleep.”
02to be very wet
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to be so wet that water is falling off you.
v. to be saturated or soaked to the point that liquid falls in drops; often used with 'with'.
“He was dripping with sweat after running five miles in the heat.”
“The players walked off the field dripping with mud and rainwater after the match was finally called off.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03medical equipment
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine
n. a piece of equipment in a hospital that slowly puts medicine or water into a person's blood.
n. an apparatus used for the slow, continuous intravenous administration of fluids, nutrients, or drugs.
“The nurse came in to check the drip and change the medicine bag.”
“The patient was kept on a saline drip for forty-eight hours to ensure they remained hydrated following the emergency surgery.”
Synonyms
04fashionable style
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Slang
n. a cool or expensive style of dressing.
n. a person's sense of style, particularly regarding fashionable or expensive clothing and accessories.
“He showed up to the party with some serious drip in his new designer suit.”
“Social media influencers often post photos highlighting their latest drip to maintain their status among fashion-conscious followers.”
05a weak person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal · British English
n. a boring person who has no personality or strength.
n. a derogatory term for a person perceived as weak, dull, or lacking in character.
“I don't know why she likes him; he's such a drip.”
“The protagonist of the novel was initially portrayed as a bit of a drip, though he eventually found his courage during the final act.”
06architecture
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Architecture Technical
n. a part of a building designed to let rainwater fall away from the walls.
n. a projection or groove on a cornice or windowsill designed to prevent rainwater from running down the face of a wall.
“The architect added a drip to the window ledge to protect the brickwork.”
“Without a proper drip on the stone coping, moisture will eventually seep into the facade and cause significant structural damage.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“B lood and sweat drip to the floor.” “Google says more features will be added later, but why the slow drip?” Etymology
From Middle English drippen, druppen, from Old English drypan, from Proto-Germanic drupjaną (“to fall in drops, drip”), from Proto-Germanic drupô (“drop”). Akin to West Frisian drippe (“to drip”), Dutch druipen, druppelen (“to drip”), German Low German drüppen (“to drip”), German tropfen, tröpfeln (“to drip”), Norwegian Bokmål dryppe, Norwegian Nynorsk drypa (“to drip”).
From Middle English drippe, from the verb (see above). Compare West Frisian drip (“drip”), Dutch drup (“drip”), Danish dryp (“drip”). (style, swagger): Compare the verb sense "to have a superabundance of valuable things".
Acronym.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/drip
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0