wash

wash

verb

Definition of WASH

1

to flow along or against <crystal-clear waters gently wash the island's unspoiled beaches>

Synonyms bathe, lap, lave, lip, splash

Related Words bubble, gurgle, plash, ripple, slosh

2

to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval <the employee's story about missing the bus didn't wash with her manager>

Synonyms fly, hold up, pass, stand up

Related Words get through, go down, go over, go through, play, take, work

Phrases hold water, pass muster

3

to flow in a broken irregular stream <soapy water washing down the drain>

Synonyms bubble, dribble, guggle, lap, plash, ripple, splash, trickle, wash

Related Words eddy, purl, swirl; swash, swish, swoosh, whish; drip, drop; gush, jet, rush, spew, spout, spurt, squirt

Near Antonyms run

Antonyms pour, roll, stream

4

to make wet <rain washed the countryside for days on end>

Synonyms bathe, bedraggle, douse (also dowse), drench, drown, soak, sodden, sop, souse, wash, water, waterlog, water-soak, wet down

Related Words asperse, bedew, damp, dampen, drizzle, humidify, hydrate, mist, moisten, moisturize, shower, sprinkle; deluge, flood, hose (down), inundate, overflow; submerge, swamp; splash; impregnate, saturate, steep; flush, irrigate, lave, rinse, slosh, sluice; dip, duck, dunk; rehydrate, rewash, rewet

Near Antonyms dewater, evaporate, freeze-dry; drip-dry, wring; dehumidify

Antonyms dehydrate, desiccate, dry, parch, scorch, sear

5

to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse <washed the baby's hair>

Synonyms irrigate, rinse, sluice, wash, wash out

Related Words deluge, engulf, flood, inundate, swamp; flow, gush, rush, stream; douche, hose; drench, saturate, soak; douse (also dowse), slosh, splash

6

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly <she absentmindedly washed her tea by tipping her cup, until the honey was at last mixed in>

Synonyms agitate, churn, swirl, wash, whirl

Related Words beat, paddle, whip, whisk; reel, shake, wheel