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

On Chicago’s West Side, small groups huddled under the shade of trees on lawn chairs in Humboldt Park while others basked in the sun along the edge of the park’s lagoon. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

The mayor's team, meanwhile, continued to bask in the victory of making good on a campaign promise to freeze the rent. — Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Now his father is there to bask in his success. — Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 25 June 2026

Almost 30 minutes after one of the greatest ninth-inning rallies in Philadelphia Phillies history, there was no time to bask in it. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 24 June 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