dribble
11 synonyms and 2 antonyms for dribble, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — In sports such as football or basketball, to move the ball forward by repeatedly bouncing or tapping it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
In sports such as football or basketball, to move the ball forward by repeatedly bouncing or tapping it.
“She dribbled past two defenders before shooting.”
2. verb
To let saliva or liquid drip slowly from the mouth or from a container.
“The baby dribbled down his chin.”
Opposites
How to use dribble
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
dribble the ball
a dribble of sauce
Frequently asked questions
What does “dribble” mean?
The word “dribble” means in sports such as football or basketball, to move the ball forward by repeatedly bouncing or tapping it. In plain terms, to move something (a ball, or liquid) forward in small, repeated bits rather than all at once.
How do you pronounce “dribble”?
“Dribble” is pronounced DRIH-buhl (/ˈdɹɪ.bɫ̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “dribble” in a sentence?
Here is “dribble” used in a sentence: “She dribbled past two defenders before shooting.”
What part of speech is “dribble”?
Depending on how it is used, “dribble” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “dribble” have?
“Dribble” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in sports such as football or basketball, to move the ball forward by repeatedly bouncing or tapping it.
