26984 words

ripples

7 definitions • 11 examples
1
a small wave on the surface of water:

Examples:

The stone she threw caused ripples to spread across the lake.
2
a sound or feeling that spreads through a person or group of people, gradually increasing and then becoming smaller:

Examples:

A ripple of laughter/applause, etc. ran through the crowd.
A ripple of excitement/unease, etc. flowed up her spine.
News of the war hardly caused a ripple (= people showed little interest).
3
plain ice cream with thin lines of other flavours in it:

Examples:

4
to (cause to) move in small waves:

Examples:

The breeze rippled the water.
His muscles rippled under his skin.
5
a small wave or a slight movement of a surface, esp. the surface of water:

Examples:

The stone hit the water and caused a ring of ripples to spread out.
6
A ripple is also a sound or feeling that is slight but is noticed:

Examples:

A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd.
The story created ripples of alarm here in Washington.
7
Something that ripples moves in a way that is not obvious but is noticeable:

Examples:

[ I always + adv/prep ] A shy smile rippled nervously over his features.

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