From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishripplerip‧ple1 /ˈrɪpəl/ verb 1 [intransitive, transitive]SPREAD to move in small waves, or to make something move in this way fields of grain rippling in the soft wind I could see the muscles rippling under his shirt.2 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]SPREAD to pass from one person to another like a waveripple through Panic rippled through Hollywood as the murders were discovered.ripple around Enthusiastic applause rippled around the tables.3 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a feeling ripples through you, you feel it stronglyripple through Anger was rippling through him so fiercely that his whole body shook.4 [intransitive]CSOUND to make a noise like water that is flowing gently The water rippled over the stones. a rippling brook→ See Verb table
WATERa small low wave on the surface of a liquid ripples on the surface of the pond She dived into the pool, making scarcely a ripple.2 CSOUNDa sound that gets gradually louder and softer A ripple of laughter ran through the audience. a ripple of applause3 SPREADa feeling that spreads through a person or a group because of something that has happened A ripple of excitement went through the crowd as he came on stage.4 CFPATTERNa shape or pattern that looks like a wave ripples on the sand5 → raspberry ripple/chocolate ripple etc6 → ripple effect
Examples from the Corpus
ripple• A flag rippled in the breeze.• Through the cleavage of two low hills the lights of San Antonio rippled in the warm rising air.• The sunlight glimmered off these blades and when the sea breeze swept through they rippled like sequins on a party dress.• Before her a green sea rippled, melting into azure where it met the sky.• Water fell somewhere, echoing, and the swimming light rippled, reflecting it.• The occasional dip of an oar rippled the lake's glassy surface.• These thoughts of water, of oil, of butter, did not ripple through my mind.• When Jim acknowledged him, a barely audible groan rippled through the room.• He lifted the rug easily, and I could just imagine the muscles rippling under his shirt.• The cabin floor rippled underneath me with each wave, and it was impossible to lie rigid.• He saw ahead of him the rippling waters of the river.rippleripple2 noun [countable] 1 WATERa small low wave on the surface of a liquid ripples on the surface of the pond She dived into the pool, making scarcely a ripple.2 CSOUNDa sound that gets gradually louder and softer A ripple of laughter ran through the audience. a ripple of applause3 SPREADa feeling that spreads through a person or a group because of something that has happened A ripple of excitement went through the crowd as he came on stage.4 CFPATTERNa shape or pattern that looks like a wave ripples on the sand5 → raspberry ripple/chocolate ripple etc6 → ripple effectExamples from the Corpus
ripple• Shannon couldn't help but feel a ripple of warmth for the man, even though they hadn't even been introduced yet.• There is a ripple of laughter.• A ripple of fear passed down his spine.• Her thoughtful and insightful answers, wrote one of the older social workers, began to cause ripples.• Only one small, white-highlighted ripple showed where the supple arrow of his body had pierced the water.• Why, there are much larger ripples on the surface of the water, upon which the paraffin rests.• And I confess I feel a little ripple of interest, in response.• A soft breeze made ripples on the lake.• While the worst may be over, one airline consultant warned that ripple effects could last two more weeks.• potato chips with ripplesripple of laughter• There was a ripple of laughter around them.• Celestine found herself blushing at the ripple of laughter passing through the audience.• The ripple of laughter that followed brought a scowl to Trentham's face.Origin ripple1 (1600-1700) Probably from rip 