bathe

1 of 3

verb

ˈbāt͟h 

bathed; bathing

transitive verb

1

: moisten, wet

2

: to wash in a liquid (such as water)

3

: to apply water or a liquid medicament to

4

: to flow along the edge of : lave

5

: to suffuse with or as if with light

intransitive verb

1

: to take a bath

2

: to go swimming

3

: to become immersed or absorbed

bather

ˈbā-t͟hər 

noun

bathe

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

British : bath entry 1 sense 1

2

British : swim, dip

bather

3 of 3

noun (2)

bath·​er ˈbā-t͟hər 

plural -s

1

: one that bathes

2

British : swimmer

3

Australia : a bathing suit

—usually used in plural

Synonyms of bathe

Verb

• wash

Examples of bathe in a Sentence

Verb

the cool waters of the North Atlantic bathe the island's shores

bathe your contact lens with the solution before inserting them

Noun (1)

We went for a bathe in the sea.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On the album cover, Karol appears almost makeup-free and bathed in a cool blue hue—giving the image a nostalgic vibe reminiscent of Britney Spears 2003 album, In The Zone. — Thalía Henao, Allure, 18 Aug. 2026

Each floor will have two neighborhoods, where staff will prepare meals for residents and assist residents with their daily needs, such as bathing and getting dressed. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Last year in January, at least 30 people were killed as tens of thousands of Hindus rushed to bathe in a sacred river during the Maha Kumbh festival, the world’s largest religious gathering. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Volunteers from Friends of KCK Animal Services, Pawsitive Tales, Heart of America Humane Society, Great Plains SPCA and Melissa’s Second Chances assisted at the scene, helping to bathe, vaccinate and feed the canines. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English bathian; akin to Old English bæth bath

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bathe

• lathe

Kids Definition

bathe

verb

ˈbāt͟h

bathed; bathing

1

: to take a bath

2

: to go swimming

3

: to give a bath to

bathe the baby

4

: to apply a liquid to

bathe the eyes

5

: to cover with or as if with a liquid

a scene bathed in moonlight

bather

ˈbā-t͟hər

noun

Medical Definition

bathe

1 of 2 verb

ˈbāt͟h 

bathed; bathing

transitive verb

1

: to wash in a liquid (as water)

2

: to apply water or a liquid medicament to

bathe the eye with warm water

intransitive verb

: to take a bath

bathe

2 of 2 noun

British

: the act or action of bathing : bath