What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dribble
Example
He dribbled the ball past the defender and scored a goal. [dribbled: past tense verb]
Example
The baby is starting to dribble as their teeth come in. [dribble: verb]
Example
The faucet was left on and water was dribbling out all night. [dribbling: gerund or present participle]
drop
Example
She dropped her keys on the way to the car. [dropped: past tense verb]
Example
There was a drop in temperature after the sun went down. [drop: noun]
Example
A drop of blood fell from the wound onto the floor. [drop: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Drop is more commonly used than dribble in everyday language. Drop is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dribble is less common and primarily used in sports contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dribble and drop?
Both dribble and drop are relatively informal words, but dribble may be considered more casual due to its association with sports jargon.