verb
douse
dows
Douse (verb) means to drench something thoroughly with liquid. Example: “He doused the campfire with a bucket of water.”
verb
1
To drench something thoroughly with liquid.
"He doused the campfire with a bucket of water."
"She doused her salad with too much dressing."
2
To put out a flame or light.
"They doused the candles before leaving the room."
How to use douse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo soak something with liquid, or to put out a fire or light.
Common mistake
Easy to confuse with "dowse," which means searching for water or metal with a divining rod — different word, different meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
douse with water
douse the flames
douse a fire
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Word forms
- Plural
- douses
- Third person singular
- douses
- Past tense
- doused
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ the campfire with a bucket of water.
Etymology
Probably from a North Germanic root related to Swedish dunsa, "to fall clumsily" or "plunge down."
Related words
Rhymes for douse
See all rhymes for douse →Frequently asked questions
What does “douse” mean?
The word “douse” means to drench something thoroughly with liquid. In plain terms, to soak something with liquid, or to put out a fire or light.
How do you pronounce “douse”?
“Douse” is pronounced dows (/daʊs/ in IPA).
How do you use “douse” in a sentence?
Here is “douse” used in a sentence: “He doused the campfire with a bucket of water.”
What part of speech is “douse”?
“Douse” is a verb.
Where does the word “douse” come from?
The word “douse” comes from Germanic. Probably from a North Germanic root related to Swedish dunsa, "to fall clumsily" or "plunge down.".
How many meanings does “douse” have?
“Douse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to drench something thoroughly with liquid.
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