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

The roadsides are often awash in blue, providing picturesque backdrops for impromptu photo shoots. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026

Marking the arrival of spring, the festival is awash in colorful powder that participants throw to spread joy and happiness, so choose your clothing with that in mind. —Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026

Yet the crisis arrives at a time when the helium market has been awash in surplus, which mitigates the war’s immediate effect. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2026

My private cottage—one of 21 in The Ranch—was awash in calm neutrals. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 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