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

• 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

True to form, when my sons were in first grade, the advanced readers basked in the blue group, middle readers were relegated to the yellow group, the sucky readers sentenced to red. —Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025

Pick up this folding Adirondack chair to soak up the final rays of summer, then to bask in the first chills of fall. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025

Now, one of the town’s top attractions is basking in the glow of good reviews — and a major award. —Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025

The countywide business community in Lake County is currently basking in a strong first quarter of growth and earning the distinction of being in one of the nation’s best counties for doing business. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 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