awash

adjective

ə-ˈwȯsh 

-ˈwäsh

1

a

: alternately covered and exposed by waves or tide

b

: washing about : afloat

c

: covered with water : flooded

2

: filled, covered, or completely overrun as if by a flood

a movie awash in sentimentality

Synonyms

• saturated
• dripping
• bathed
• saturate
• flooded
• washed

Examples of awash in a Sentence

The deck of the boat was almost awash.

the streets were awash from the heavy rains

Recent Examples on the Web

In today’s hyperconnected world, businesses are awash in data—yet most remain starved for insight. —Imre Szenttornyay, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Royal blue, cranberry red and marigold yellow: New York City was awash in the stuff in the run-up to the Tuesday Democratic mayoral primary. —Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025

While winemakers in Moldova struggle with water access, the Great Lakes state is awash. —Alexandra Gillespie, AFAR Media, 23 June 2025

With the completion of Morrell’s mural, the library’s exterior is now awash with murals. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing awash

• drowning/awash in red ink

Rhymes for awash

• backwash
• downwash
• mouthwash
• outwash
• panache
• whitewash
• bosh
• frosh
• gosh
• josh
• posh
• quash

Kids Definition

awash

adjective

ə-ˈwȯsh 

-ˈwäsh

1

: washed by waves or tide

2

: floating about

3

a

: flooded or covered with water

b

: filled or covered as if by a flood

an event awash in emotion

Geographical Definition

Awash

geographical name

ˈä-ˌwäsh 

river 500 miles (805 kilometers) long in eastern Ethiopia flowing northeast