Trace amounts of liquids could cause unpredictable variations in adhesion and friction strongly dependent on the initial solid–solid contact and the menisci’s size, number, geometry, distribution and residence time. This study aims to elucidate the mechanistic origins of the varying meniscus effect by conducting light loaded ball-on-flat sliding experiments involving water menisci spanning more than six orders of magnitude in the meniscus volume. Results found (1) non-linear coupling between the normal and tangential meniscus forces sensitive to small surface misalignments and heterogeneities, (2) two cycles of successive increase and decrease of the friction coefficient as the bridge size decreased from millimeter to nanometer from water evaporation. Evolutions of the meniscus effect were discussed in the context of adhesion-controlled friction, bridge splitting and wetting line friction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]