bask

verb

ˈbask 

basked; basking; basks

intransitive verb

1

: to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere

basking in the warmth of the sun

2

: to take pleasure or derive enjoyment

basked in the spotlight

transitive verb

obsolete : to warm by continued exposure to heat

… basks at the fire his hairy strength …

—John Milton

Synonyms of bask

• relax
• rest

Examples of bask in a Sentence

We sat basking in the sun.

Tourists were basking on the beaches.

He stood before the audience, basking in their applause.

Recent Examples on the Web

No, after basking in the adulation of 4 million diverse neighbors every summer, the players will not turn their backs on these people while the government continues to round them up despite no criminal history. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026

Kennamer said that Tuesday, after some sunny days, iguanas were waking up, basking and not compliant. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026

Velez and Rivera are still basking in a historic night for the artist at the Grammys. —Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026

The former New England Patriots cornerback and hero of Super Bowl XLIX will be everywhere over the next week, basking in the nostalgia of one of the most memorable plays in NFL history. —Jeff Howe, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from Old Norse bathask, reflexive of batha to bathe; akin to Old English bæth bath

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing bask

• bask in the glory
• bask in the reflected glory

Rhymes for bask

• ask
• basque
• cask
• casque
• flask
• mask
• masque
• pasch
• task
• subtask
• unmask

Kids Definition

bask

verb

ˈbask 

: to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere

bask in the sun

basked in their success