# drip

/ˈdɹɪp/ (US) · /dɹˈɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drip
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to fall in drops

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- 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.

### 2. to be very wet

verb · CEFR B2

to be so wet that water is falling off you.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. medical equipment

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. fashionable style

noun · CEFR B2 · Slang

a cool or expensive style of dressing.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. a weak person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · British English

a boring person who has no personality or strength.

For teachers: 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.

### 6. architecture

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He walked into the party with serious drip.
- The rapper's latest music video features a lot of designer drip, from diamond chains to custom sneakers.
- While some critics dismiss the focus on drip as superficial, others argue that this emphasis on visual presentation is a vital form of self-expression in modern digital spaces.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.