- ripple
- I UK [ˈrɪp(ə)l] / US
noun [countable]
Word forms "ripple":
singular ripple plural ripples1)a) a small wave or series of waves on the surface of a liquidJoe threw a stone and watched the ripples spread out across the pond.
b) something that looks like a waveThere were ripples in the sand.
2) an emotion that spreads gradually through a person or a group of peopleripple of:The issue has caused a few ripples amongst islanders.
Ralph felt a ripple of fear pass through him.
3) a sound that gets gradually louder and then quietera ripple of laughter/applause:There was a ripple amongst the audience as he announced his plans.
A ripple of laughter lessened the tension.
•raspberry/chocolate etc ripple
— ice-cream that has lines of a /chocolate etc flavoured substance in it
II UK [ˈrɪp(ə)l] / US verb
Word forms "ripple":
present tense I/you/we/they ripple he/she/it ripples present participle rippling past tense rippled past participle rippled1)a) [intransitive/transitive] if a liquid ripples, or if something ripples it, it moves gently in small wavesA slight wind rippled the lake's surface.
b) to move like waves, or to make something move like wavesYou could see his muscles rippling under his T-shirt.
A light breeze rippled the trees.
2) [intransitive] if a feeling or sound ripples through someone or through a group of people, it spreads graduallyripple around/through:Laughter rippled around the room.
Polly flinched at the thrill that rippled through her.
English dictionary. 2014.