Drivel vs. Dribble — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 24, 2024
Drivel refers to nonsensical talk or writing, often aimless and lacking substance, whereas dribble means to flow or let saliva flow from the mouth.
Difference Between Drivel and Dribble
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Drivel is typically used to describe speech or written content that is silly or meaningless, often marked by a lack of seriousness or depth. On the other hand, dribble refers to the act of liquid, like saliva or a drink, flowing slowly from the mouth, or in sports, the action of moving a ball along by tapping it with the feet or hands.
Drivel can be applied in a figurative sense to criticize content that is thought to be pointless or overly simplistic. Whereas dribble is more commonly associated with physical actions, either in everyday activities like eating and drinking or specifically in sports contexts, such as basketball or soccer.
Drivel often carries a negative connotation, implying that the content is not only unnecessary but also annoying or irritating to the listener or reader. Whereas dribble, especially in sports, can have a neutral or even positive connotation, highlighting skill and control.
Drivel is something that anyone might inadvertently produce when they speak or write without much thought. On the other hand, dribble as a verb specifically involves the control and direction of a liquid or a ball, requiring some level of intention or inadvertence.
Drivel might be used as a critical remark in literary or intellectual discussions to dismiss the value of certain discourses. Whereas dribble is used more in everyday language and sports commentary, often related to physical descriptions or actions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Nonsensical talk or writing
Flow of liquid from the mouth; sports move
Usage Context
Intellectual or critical discussions
Everyday activities; sports
Connotation
Negative
Neutral or positive (in sports)
Required Action
None (spontaneous)
Intentional or involuntary action
Associated Fields
Literature, rhetoric
Dining, sports, childcare
Compare with Definitions
Drivel
Nonsensical talk.
The meeting was full of drivel that wasted everyone's time.
Dribble
To let saliva flow from the mouth.
The baby began to dribble while teething.
Drivel
Unsubstantial speech.
What he says is often drivel, lacking any real depth.
Dribble
Basketball maneuver.
He can dribble past any defender with ease.
Drivel
Mindless babble.
The conversation devolved into drivel as the night went on.
Dribble
Spill drops slowly.
He dribbled some coffee on his shirt during breakfast.
Drivel
Worthless content.
He dismissed the rumors as mere drivel.
Dribble
To flow slowly.
Syrup dribbled down the side of the jar.
Drivel
Foolish writing.
The article was dismissed as drivel by the critics.
Dribble
Leak slowly.
The faucet started to dribble, needing repairs.
Drivel
Nonsense
Don't talk such drivel!
Dribble
(of a liquid) fall slowly in drops or a thin stream
Rain dribbled down the window
Drivel
Talk nonsense
He was drivelling on about the glory days
Dribble
(in soccer, hockey, and basketball) take (the ball) forwards past opponents with slight touches of the feet or the stick, or (in basketball) by continuous bouncing
He attempted to dribble the ball from the goal area
Drivel
Let saliva or mucus flow from the mouth or nose
The nurse leaves you to drivel, and never wipes your nose
Dribble
A thin stream of liquid; a trickle
A dribble of blood
Drivel
To slobber; drool.
Dribble
(in soccer, hockey, and basketball) an act of taking the ball forward with repeated slight touches or bounces
A mesmerizing dribble by Daley took him through to confirm Villa's victory
Drivel
To flow like spittle or saliva.
Dribble
To flow or fall in drops or an unsteady stream; trickle
Water dribbled from the leaky faucet.
Drivel
To talk stupidly or childishly.
Dribble
To let saliva drip from the mouth; drool.
Drivel
To allow to flow from the mouth.
Dribble
To move a ball or puck by repeated light bounces or kicks, as in basketball or soccer.
Drivel
To say (something) stupidly.
Dribble
To advance by dribbling
Dribbled down the court.
Drivel
Saliva flowing from the mouth.
Dribble
To let flow or fall in drops or an unsteady stream.
Drivel
Stupid or senseless talk.
Dribble
To move (a ball or puck) by dribbling.
Drivel
Nonsense; senseless talk.
Dribble
To hit (a baseball, for example) so that it bounces slowly and low to the ground.
Drivel
(archaic) Saliva, drool.
Dribble
A weak, unsteady stream; a trickle.
Drivel
(obsolete) A fool; an idiot.
Dribble
A small quantity; a bit.
Drivel
(obsolete) A servant; a drudge.
Dribble
(Sports) The act of dribbling a ball.
Drivel
To talk nonsense; to talk senselessly; to drool.
Dribble
(basketball, soccer) In various ball games, to move (with) the ball, controlling its path by kicking or bouncing it repeatedly.
Drivel
To have saliva drip from the mouth.
Dribble
To let saliva drip from the mouth; to drool.
The baby dribbled onto its bib.
Drivel
To be weak or foolish; to dote.
Dribble
To fall in drops or an unsteady stream; to trickle.
Drivel
To move or travel slowly.
Dribble
(transitive) To let something fall in drips.
Drivel
To use up or to be used up.
Dribble
(dated) To live or pass one's time in a trivial fashion.
Drivel
To slaver; to let spittle drop or flow from the mouth, like a child, idiot, or dotard.
Dribble
To perform a card flourish in which the cards fall smoothly from one's hand.
Drivel
To be weak or foolish; to dote; as, a driveling hero; driveling love.
Dribble
(uncountable) Drool; saliva.
Drivel
Slaver; saliva flowing from the mouth.
Dribble
(countable) A weak, unsteady stream; a trickle.
Drivel
Inarticulate or unmeaning utterance; foolish talk; babble.
Dribble
(countable) A small amount of a liquid.
Drivel
A driveler; a fool; an idiot.
Dribble
The act of moving (with) a ball by kicking or bouncing it.
Drivel
A servant; a drudge.
Dribble
(countable) A card flourish in which the cards fall smoothly from one's hand.
Drivel
A worthless message
Dribble
To fall in drops or small drops, or in a quick succession of drops; as, water dribbles from the eaves.
Drivel
Saliva spilling from the mouth
Dribble
To slaver, as a child or an idiot; to drivel.
Drivel
Let saliva drivel from the mouth;
The baby drooled
Dribble
To fall weakly and slowly.
Dribble
In basketball, football and similar games, to dribble{2} the ball.
Dribble
To live or pass one's time in a trivial fashion.
Dribble
To let fall in drops.
Let the cook . . . dribble it all the way upstairs.
Dribble
In basketball and various other games, to propel (the ball) by successive slight hits or kicks so as to keep it always in control.
Dribble
A drizzling shower; a falling or leaking in drops.
Dribble
An act of dribbling{2} a ball.
Dribble
Flowing in drops; the formation and falling of drops of liquid;
There's a drip through the roof
Dribble
Saliva spilling from the mouth
Dribble
The propulsion of a ball by repeated taps or kicks
Dribble
Run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream;
Water trickled onto the lawn from the broken hose
Reports began to dribble in
Dribble
Let or cause to fall in drops;
Dribble oil into the mixture
Dribble
Propel,
Carry the ball
Dribble the ball
Dribble
Let saliva drivel from the mouth;
The baby drooled
Common Curiosities
What does drivel mean in literature?
In literature, drivel refers to text considered superficial or of poor quality.
How can one avoid producing drivel?
Focusing on meaningful, well-thought-out content helps avoid drivel.
What skills improve dribbling in sports?
Agility, control, and spatial awareness enhance dribbling skills in sports.
What types of writing are often called drivel?
Superficial, simplistic, or overly verbose writing is often labeled as drivel.
Can drivel be intentional?
Yes, sometimes drivel is used intentionally for humor or satirical effect.
How does drivel affect communication?
Drivel can clutter communication, making it hard to discern valuable information.
Can dribble have medical implications?
Excessive dribbling can indicate medical issues, especially in infants or the elderly.
How is dribbling used in soccer?
In soccer, dribbling involves controlling and advancing the ball with feet.
How can one reduce dribbling while eating?
Improving chewing techniques and being mindful while eating can reduce dribbling.
What is dribbling in basketball?
Dribbling in basketball involves players bouncing the ball while moving.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
