# drizzle

/ˈdɹɪzəɫ/ (US) · /dɹˈɪzəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drizzle
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. light rain

noun · CEFR B1

very light rain that feels like a fine mist.

For teachers: light precipitation consisting of numerous, uniformly dispersed water droplets with a diameter of less than 0.5 millimetres.

- We went for a walk despite the light drizzle that started at noon.
- A persistent drizzle hung over the valley all morning, reducing visibility and making the mountain paths treacherous for the hikers.

### 2. culinary topping

noun · CEFR B2

a small amount of liquid, like honey or sauce, poured over food.

For teachers: a small quantity of liquid poured in a thin, steady stream over food for flavour or decoration.

- The lemon cake was finished with a sweet sugar drizzle.
- The chef added a final drizzle of truffle oil to the risotto just before it was carried out to the dining room.

### 3. to rain lightly

verb · CEFR B1

to rain in very small, light drops.

For teachers: to rain lightly in very small, fine drops; typically used in the impersonal 'it' form.

- It began to drizzle just as we reached the park, so we stayed under the trees.
- Although it had been drizzling intermittently throughout the afternoon, the match officials decided the pitch was still safe for play.

### 4. to pour over food

verb · CEFR B2

to pour a liquid slowly and evenly over something.

For teachers: to pour a liquid in a very thin stream over a surface, especially in food preparation.

- Drizzle some olive oil over the salad before you serve it.
- The baker carefully drizzled the melted chocolate over the pastries in a zigzag pattern to create a professional finish.

## Examples

- A light drizzle started just as we left the house.
- The morning began with a steady drizzle that made the mountain roads slippery and dangerous for cyclists.
- While the forecast predicted a heavy downpour, we experienced only a persistent drizzle that clung to the windshield without ever turning into a proper storm.

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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.