drown
0 antonyms and opposites of drown, grouped by meaning.
Verb — To die, or to kill, by being unable to breathe underwater.
How to use drown
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Of uncertain origin, though likely shaped by influence from Old Norse drukkna, a related word for the same idea.
Full origin of drown →Frequently asked questions
What does “drown” mean?
The word “drown” means to die, or to kill, by being unable to breathe underwater. In plain terms, to die from being submerged in water without air, or, figuratively, to be completely overwhelmed or covered by something.
How do you pronounce “drown”?
“Drown” is pronounced drown (/dɹaʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “drown” in a sentence?
Here is “drown” used in a sentence: “The lifeguard rescued a swimmer before he could drown.”
What is another word for “drown”?
Words with a similar meaning to “drown” include flood and inundate.
What part of speech is “drown”?
“Drown” is a verb.
Where does the word “drown” come from?
The word “drown” comes from Old Norse. Of uncertain origin, though likely shaped by influence from Old Norse drukkna, a related word for the same idea.
Is “drown” a common word?
“Drown” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “drown” have?
“Drown” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to die, or to kill, by being unable to breathe underwater.
What is the difference between drown and suffocate?
Drown refers specifically to dying or being killed by submersion in water or another liquid, while suffocate refers to death from a lack of oxygen in general, which can happen on dry land as well. All drowning is a form of suffocation, but not all suffocation is drowning.
Can drown be used figuratively?
Yes, drown is commonly used figuratively to describe being overwhelmed or completely covered by something, as in 'drowning in paperwork' or 'drown out the noise.' This figurative sense keeps the core idea of being submerged or overpowered.
Is it correct to say someone was drowned or that they drowned?
Both are used but mean different things: 'he drowned' describes an accidental or unintentional death, while 'he was drowned' implies someone else caused it deliberately. Careful writers avoid 'was drowned' when describing an accident, since it can wrongly suggest another person was responsible.