rivulet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, formal, descriptive
Quick answer
What does “rivulet” mean?
a very small stream or flow of water.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a very small stream or flow of water.
A thin, narrow, and often temporary channel of liquid; can be used metaphorically for a small stream of any substance (e.g., a rivulet of sweat).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Elicits a similar literary, somewhat old-fashioned or nature-writing register in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, but might be slightly more familiar in British English due to its prevalence in classic landscape literature (e.g., Romantic poets).
Grammar
How to Use “rivulet” in a Sentence
A rivulet of [liquid] ran/trickled down [surface].They followed the rocky rivulet upstream.The [place] was crisscrossed by numerous rivulets.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rivulet” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable. No standard verb form.
American English
- Not applicable. No standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. No standard adverb form.
American English
- Not applicable. No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable. No standard adjective form.
American English
- Not applicable. No standard adjective form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare; might appear in descriptive geography, geology, or literary analysis.
Everyday
Very rare in casual speech. Would sound intentionally descriptive or poetic.
Technical
Possible in hydrology or geomorphology as a precise term for a smallest-order stream channel.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rivulet”
- Misspelling as 'rivullet' or 'rivelet'.
- Using it in everyday conversation where 'stream' or 'trickle' would be more natural.
- Pronouncing it /raɪv.juː.let/ (incorrect; first vowel is short /ɪ/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. It is a very specific, literary term for a *very small* stream, often temporary or delicate. Using 'stream' is more general and neutral.
Yes, metaphorically. It is common to see 'a rivulet of sweat/blood/oil/melted chocolate' to describe a thin, running line of liquid.
They are close synonyms. 'Rivulet' is more literary and emphasizes smallness and delicacy. 'Brook' is a more standard, though still slightly literary, word for a small stream.
The stress is on the first syllable: RIV-yuh-let. The 'i' is short as in 'ribbon', not long as in 'river'.
a very small stream or flow of water.
Rivulet is usually literary, formal, descriptive in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable for this word. No common idioms feature 'rivulet'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RIVer that's so small it needs a 'let' (little) attached: RIVU-LET.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIQUID IS A JOURNEY/TRAVELLER (the rivulet runs, wanders, finds its way). NATURE IS DELICATE ART (the rivulet is a silver thread, a delicate vein).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for the word 'rivulet'?