drown

drown

verb \ˈdrau̇n\

drowned \ˈdrau̇nd\ drown·ing \ˈdrau̇-niŋ\

Definition of DROWN

intransitive verb

: to become drowned

transitive verb

1

a : to suffocate by submersion especially in water

b : to submerge especially by a rise in the water level <villages drowned by the flooding river>

c : to soak, drench, or cover with a liquid

2

: to engage (oneself) deeply and strenuously <drowned himself in work>

3

: to cause (a sound) not to be heard by making a loud noise —usually used with out

4

a : to drive out (as a sensation or an idea) <drowned his sorrows in liquor>

b : overwhelm

Examples of DROWN

1. Four people drowned in the flood.
2. She fell in the river and drowned.
3. She claims that he tried to drown her.
4. He tried to drown himself.
5. The river overflowed, drowning whole villages.
6. The food was drowned in sauce.
7. The loud music drowned the sound of their conversation.

Origin of DROWN

Middle English drounen

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DROWN

Synonyms

deluge, flood, engulf, gulf, inundate, overflow, overwhelm, submerge, submerse, swamp

Antonyms

drain

Related Words

avalanche, smother; overcome, overrun; flow, flush, gush, pour, sluice, spout, spurt, stream; douse (also dowse), drench, soak, wet

Near Antonyms

dehydrate, dry, parch

Rhymes with DROWN

brown, clown, crown, down, frown, gown, lown, noun, town

drown

verb \ˈdrau̇n\   (Medical Dictionary)

drowned \ˈdrau̇nd\ (audio pronunciation); drown·ing \ˈdrau̇-niŋ\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of DROWN

intransitive verb

1

: to suffocate in water or some other liquid

2

: to suffocate because of excess of body fluid that interferes with the passage of oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues (as in pulmonary edema)

transitive verb

: to suffocate by submersion especially in water <drowned three kittens>