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trickle
/ˈtrɪkəl/
flow in a thin stream
Water trickled down the wall after the rain.
A small amount of water flowed slowly in a thin line.
literal
to flow in a thin, slow stream
Blood trickled from the cut on her finger.
A small amount of blood flowed slowly from the wound.
Tears trickled down her cheeks as she listened to the sad story.
She cried silently, with tears flowing slowly down her face.
Often implies a small quantity or gradual movement.
literal
a thin, slow flow of liquid
A trickle of water came from the leaky pipe.
The pipe released a small, continuous stream of water.
Used as a noun to describe the flow itself.
figurative
to move or proceed slowly in small numbers or amounts
People trickled into the theater before the movie started.
A few people entered the theater gradually over time.
Donations are trickling in after the charity appeal.
The charity is receiving money slowly and in small amounts.
Used metaphorically for gradual or sparse movement.
Collocations
trickle downto move gradually from a higher to a lower leveltrickle into arrive slowly or graduallytrickle outto leak or escape slowly
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 'gush' and 'pour'
'Trickle' implies a small, slow flow, while 'gush' or 'pour' suggest a large, sudden release. Compare: 'Water trickled from the pipe' vs. 'Water gushed from the pipe after the valve was opened.'
Gold Rule
Use 'trickle' for gradual, sparse movement
Reserve 'trickle' for scenarios where the flow is thin, slow, or sparse. Avoid using it for large or sudden movements.
Metaphorical use for people or processes
'Trickle' can describe people arriving slowly (e.g., 'Fans trickled into the stadium') or processes developing gradually (e.g., 'Funds trickled in over months').
Word Origin
Middle English: from Old English *trīcan* (to fail), related to Middle Low German *trīkel* (a trickle) and Middle Dutch *trīken* (to trickle). The noun sense dates from the mid-17th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used for both liquids and gradual processes. The verb form is more frequent than the noun form. Often implies a lack of intensity or volume.
Word Breakdown
trick-
to fail or run out
root-le
diminutive or frequentative suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary