verb

drench

drehnch

verb

To soak someone or something completely by pouring or splashing liquid on it, or by immersing it.

"A sudden downpour drenched everyone waiting at the bus stop."

"He drenched the salad in dressing."

noun

A dose of medicine given to an animal, often forced down its throat.

"The farmer gave the sheep a drench to treat worms."

How to Use Drench

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make something thoroughly wet, or (on a farm) to force-feed an animal liquid medicine.

Common mistake

In everyday speech "drenched" almost always means soaking wet; the farming sense (medicine dose) is a separate, narrower usage.

Common pairings

drenched in rain drenched with sweat a drench for livestock

Word Forms

drenched past tense, drencht past tense, drenches plural, drench plural, drenched plural, drencht plural, drenches plural, drenches singular, drench singular, drenched singular, drencht singular, drenchest singular, drenchedst singular, drencheth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

A sudden downpour _____ everyone waiting at the bus stop.

Etymology

From Old English drenc, meaning a drink or dose of medicine — related to the word "drink."

Rhymes for drench

inch bench conch lunch punch wench finch lynch cinch pinch bunch winch

See all rhymes for drench →