bask

verb

basked; basking; basks
Synonyms of basknext

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Take in the two permanent hiking trails at your own pace, leaving plenty of time to bask in the vastness and solitude of the scenic overlooks. Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026 Grab a lounge chair, crack a coconut, and bask in the beauty of a bare beach; this is how to enjoy a trip to Anegada. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026 Some of the kinder ones would give a Christmas tip if the apprentices did a good job cleaning their boots but others, basking in the new money of the Premier League, preferred to peacock. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 The various sights at the castle – a decent history museum, frescoed chapel, old-fashioned printing press, and wine cellar – are cute, but the real reason to come up here is to bask in the sweeping panoramas. Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bask

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bask was circa 1616

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bask. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

bask

verb
: to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere
bask in the sun
basked in their success

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