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 of awash

• saturated
• dripping
• bathed
• flooded
• soaked
• washed
• saturate
• soaking

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

Even way back then, in 2021, social platforms were awash in fake views, fake likes, fake traffic, and fake engagement. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Social media ahead of the Lincoln’s visit has been awash with jibes about lusty sailors, but recent visitors say the development of more family-friendly attractions means the new, more wholesome Pattaya overshadows its former seedy self. — Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Social media ahead of the Lincoln’s visit has been awash with jibes about lusty sailors, but recent visitors say the development of more family-friendly attractions means the new. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests are also awash in fall colors. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

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