ripple: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “ripple” mean?
A small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, or a similar undulating motion or effect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, or a similar undulating motion or effect.
Used metaphorically to describe a spreading effect, influence, or pattern in various contexts such as sound, light, economics, or emotions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling differences; pronunciation is nearly identical with minor variations in vowel quality or rhythm in some dialects.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties; 'ripple effect' is a common metaphorical usage in both British and American English.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both British and American English across various registers.
Grammar
How to Use “ripple” in a Sentence
ripple through somethingripple across the surfaceripple with emotionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ripple” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The pond rippled in the afternoon sun.
- Excitement rippled through the audience.
American English
- The lake rippled under the clear sky.
- Laughter rippled across the room.
adverb
British English
- The light reflected ripplingly on the water.
- The music flowed ripplingly through the hall.
American English
- The flag waved ripplingly in the breeze.
- Her voice carried ripplingly over the crowd.
adjective
British English
- She chose a fabric with a ripple design.
- The ripple pattern on the wall was subtle.
American English
- He admired the rippled surface of the sand.
- The cake had a rippled chocolate topping.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the cascading impact of decisions or events, e.g., 'The merger caused ripples throughout the industry.'
Academic
Used in sciences like physics or fluid dynamics to describe wave propagation, e.g., 'Ripples were observed in the experimental setup.'
Everyday
Common for describing water surfaces or similar effects, e.g., 'The duck made ripples on the pond.'
Technical
In electronics or signal processing, denotes unwanted variations, e.g., 'The filter reduces ripple in the output signal.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ripple”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ripple”
- Using 'ripple' to describe large or violent waves; it typically connotes smallness and gentleness.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is often used metaphorically for spreading effects in contexts like sound, light, emotions, or economics.
'Ripple' typically implies a smaller, gentler undulation, while 'wave' can refer to larger and more powerful motions.
Yes, it can function as a verb meaning to form or cause small waves or undulations, e.g., 'The water rippled.'
It refers to the spreading and increasingly widespread impact of an initial event or action, often used in social, economic, or technical contexts.
A small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, or a similar undulating motion or effect.
Ripple is usually neutral in register.
Ripple: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪp.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪp.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ripple effect”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ripple' as 'rip' + 'ple' – imagine a small rip in water creating gentle waves.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPREADING INFLUENCE IS A RIPPLE, e.g., 'Her speech sent ripples of inspiration through the crowd.'
Practice
Quiz
What best describes the core meaning of 'ripple'?