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

This week, Tinashe navigates the highs and lows of being a pop star, Blondshell basks in the beauty of her life, and Taylor Swift is back for the curtain call with a deluxe offering from The Life of a Showgirl. — Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026

In the days of former coach Billy Napier, Florida made a habit of basking in the wins. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

White House debuts an alternative Trump famously loves the spotlight and basks in the glow of TV cameras. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026

Corduroy pillows in Petal Plum—a floral print lifted from the floor of the brand’s New York flagship store—doubled as soft seating, perfect for basking in the sun. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 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