douse
Douse (verb) means to drench something thoroughly with liquid. Example: “He doused the campfire with a bucket of water.”
How to use douse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo soak something with liquid, or to put out a fire or light.
Easy to confuse with "dowse," which means searching for water or metal with a divining rod — different word, different meaning.
Word forms
doused past tense, doused past tense, douses plural, douses plural, Douses plural, douses singular, douses singular
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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