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

Tips for bathing your baby Never leave your baby alone in the bath. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Much like the lobby and public areas, the rooms are bathed in natural light, with clean lines, warm woods, and floor-to-ceiling windows. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026

Then comes another character, Bernard, also young and who, while bathing one day, swims into a girl called Huguette. — André Aciman, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

The new spa draws inspiration from the resort’s Sonoran Desert surroundings, with limestone walls bathed in sandy beige tones and custom stone mosaics, while sculptural furnishings mirror the crecendos of Camelback Mountain outside. — Tim Chan, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 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