Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small, scattered amount or number: A "sprinkling" refers to a small quantity of something distributed or occurring here and there, not in a concentrated mass.
   • A light, scattered fall of something: It can describe a light shower of rain or a light dusting of a substance like snow or powder.
   • The act of scattering in small drops or particles: "Sprinkling" denotes the action of sprinkling something, such as water or salt.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The forecast calls for a light sprinkling of rain this afternoon.
  • There was only a sprinkling of people in the audience for the early show.
  • The recipe calls for a final sprinkling of fresh herbs before serving.
  • The priest performed the sprinkling of holy water.

Advanced Usage

• "a sprinkling of [something]": This is the most common collocation, used to indicate a small, scattered amount of a particular thing.
  • The article contained a sprinkling of technical terms.
  • Her speech was met with a sprinkling of applause.

Variants and Related Words

• Sprinkle (verb): To scatter or distribute small drops or particles of something over an object or surface.
  • Sprinkle the path with sand to make it less slippery.
• Sprinkler (noun): A device used to sprinkle water, especially for watering lawns or putting out fires.

Synonyms

• Scattering: A small, dispersed number or amount.
• Dusting: A light, fine covering or sprinkling of a powder.
• Handful: A small number or amount.
• Few: A small number of.

Related Phrases

• Like a sprinkling of [metaphor]: Used figuratively to describe a light, sparse distribution.
  • The valley was dotted with houses like a sprinkling of sugar cubes.

Related Idioms

• A mere sprinkling: Emphasizes that the amount is very small or insignificant.
  • Only a mere sprinkling of voters turned out for the special election.

Noun

1. the act of sprinkling or splashing water
   • baptized with a sprinkling of holy water
   • a sparge of warm water over the malt
2. the act of sprinkling water in baptism (rare)
3. a light shower that falls in some locations and not others nearby
4. a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly
   • the first scatterings of green
   • a sprinkling of grey at his temples