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

After skimo’s Olympic debut last week, the weird sport of running uphill in ski boots—then barreling downhill in children’s skis—is basking in a glow of cultural relevance that only the world’s biggest competition can provide. —Anthony Walsh, Outside, 26 Feb. 2026

The computer industry set Ireland on the road to global success, and the Emerald Isle became the Golden Isle, basking in prosperity. —Llewellyn King, Twin Cities, 26 Feb. 2026

The chamber erupted in applause as the semi-toothed heroes who beat Canada in Milan basked in the adulation of the United States Congress. —Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026

Just basking along with Team USA wasn’t enough. —Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 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