dripping: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “dripping” mean?
The fat that drips from meat as it cooks.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The fat that drips from meat as it cooks; the sound or action of falling in small drops.
Something that is abundantly present or conspicuous; a constant, repetitive flow of something (e.g., information, emotion). Can describe a quality of being soaked through with liquid (as an adjective).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As 'rendered meat fat', 'dripping' is more common in UK usage. In the US, this is more often called 'pan drippings' or 'rendered fat'.
Connotations
In the UK, 'dripping' can have nostalgic, traditional connotations (e.g., dripping on toast). In the US, the term is more clinical and usually culinary.
Frequency
The noun sense (fat) is more frequent in the UK. The participial adjective/adverb and verbal noun senses are equally frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “dripping” in a Sentence
[N] dripping from/with [N][be] dripping (with [N])[N] was dripping down [N]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dripping” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tap has been dripping all night, it's so annoying.
- The gutters were dripping with rainwater.
American English
- The faucet won't stop dripping; we need a plumber.
- Icicles were dripping from the roof.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, but can be metaphorical: 'The report was dripping with criticism for the board.'
Academic
Rare in formal writing, may appear in culinary history or technical descriptions of fluid dynamics.
Everyday
Common for describing rain, leaks, sweat, or cooking. 'My hair is dripping wet.'
Technical
In cooking, refers to fat/juices; in engineering, can describe a malfunction (e.g., dripping valve).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dripping”
- Using 'dripping' as a verb (correct: 'it is dripping').
- Incorrect: 'the dripping of the water is noisy' (correct but awkward; better: 'the dripping water is noisy' or 'the drip of water is noisy').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While a key meaning is rendered fat, it more commonly describes the action of falling in drops or being soaked ('dripping wet').
Yes, informally. 'Dripping' can describe something saturated with liquid (e.g., 'dripping clothes').
'Drip' is the verb or the singular act/sound. 'Dripping' is the continuous action (gerund), the resulting substance (fat), or an adjective/adverb describing a state.
The concrete noun (fat) and gerund are neutral. The participial adjective ('dripping with gold') is more informal/figurative.
The fat that drips from meat as it cooks.
Dripping: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdrɪp.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdrɪp.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dripping with sarcasm/wealth”
- “The dripping tap syndrome (a persistent annoyance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Drip-drip-dripping: sound of drops hitting a pan (PING!).
Conceptual Metaphor
ABUNDANCE IS LIQUID OVERFLOW (e.g., dripping with confidence). TIME/PERSISTENCE IS A DRIP (e.g., constant dripping wears away a stone).
Practice
Quiz
In a traditional British context, what is 'dripping' most likely to be?