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

• kick back
• loll
• lounge
• relax
• repose
• 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

Once tense and apprehensive, Mateo is later shown basking in the sun and running along the sand with other dogs in the care of his rescuer. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

After receiving 23 feet of snow in 2024, Valle Nevado remains one of the best places to experience winter when the Northern Hemisphere is basking in summer. —Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

While living in a foster home, the young Chihuahua became known for her love of basking in the sun and chewing on bones. —Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2025

This marks another splash hire for the Hornets as Wood and school president Luke Wood have basked in these news conferences of late. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2025

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