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drip

v. · n.
US //ˈdɹɪp// UK //dɹˈɪp// drip
  1. 1 to fall in drops (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to fall in small drops of liquid, one by one.

    to fall in separate drops; can be used intransitively for the liquid itself or transitively for the object releasing the liquid.

    Example

    Water started to drip from the ceiling after the heavy rain.

    Example

    The leaky faucet continued to drip throughout the night, creating a rhythmic sound that made it impossible for him to sleep.
  2. 2 to be very wet (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to be so wet that water is falling off you.

    to be saturated or soaked to the point that liquid falls in drops; often used with 'with'.

    Example

    He was dripping with sweat after running five miles in the heat.

    Example

    The players walked off the field dripping with mud and rainwater after the match was finally called off.
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  1. 3 medical equipment (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    a piece of equipment in a hospital that slowly puts medicine or water into a person's blood.

    an apparatus used for the slow, continuous intravenous administration of fluids, nutrients, or drugs.

    Example

    The nurse came in to check the drip and change the medicine bag.

    Example

    The patient was kept on a saline drip for forty-eight hours to ensure they remained hydrated following the emergency surgery.
  2. 4 fashionable style (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Slang

    a cool or expensive style of dressing.

    a person's sense of style, particularly regarding fashionable or expensive clothing and accessories.

    Example

    He showed up to the party with some serious drip in his new designer suit.

    Example

    Social media influencers often post photos highlighting their latest drip to maintain their status among fashion-conscious followers.
  3. 5 a weak person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal British English

    a boring person who has no personality or strength.

    a derogatory term for a person perceived as weak, dull, or lacking in character.

    Example

    I don't know why she likes him; he's such a drip.

    Example

    The protagonist of the novel was initially portrayed as a bit of a drip, though he eventually found his courage during the final act.
  4. 6 architecture (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Architecture

    a part of a building designed to let rainwater fall away from the walls.

    a projection or groove on a cornice or windowsill designed to prevent rainwater from running down the face of a wall.

    Example

    The architect added a drip to the window ledge to protect the brickwork.

    Example

    Without a proper drip on the stone coping, moisture will eventually seep into the facade and cause significant structural damage.
Etymology 1

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”).

Etymology 2

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".

Etymology 3

Acronym.

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