droop

1 of 2

verb

ˈdrüp 

drooped; drooping; droops

intransitive verb

1

: to hang or incline downward

2

: to sink gradually

3

: to become depressed or weakened : languish

transitive verb

: to let droop

droopingly

ˈdrü-piŋ-lē 

adverb

droop

2 of 2

noun

: the condition or appearance of drooping

Synonyms of droop

Verb

• sag
• hang
• wilt

Noun

• slack
• slackness
• sag
• hang

Examples of droop in a Sentence

Verb

The flowers were drooping in the hot sun.

Her eyelids drooped as she grew tired.

The tree's branches drooped under the weight of the snow.

His spirits drooped when he didn't get the job.

Noun

tighten the line at the top of the banner so there won't be so much droop

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Ensure Proper Care Lastly, Awot-Traut says ensuring proper care for your sunflower is essential to prevent drooping. — Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026

Petals that are fading, drooping, dropping off, or turning brown are all signs that the flower is reaching the end of its life and is ready to be removed. — The Spruce, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

How to Prevent Your Sunflowers From Drooping There are a few ways to get ahead of the droop, says Awot-Traut. — Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026

Why Plants Wilt Reversing wilt begins with a basic understanding of what is going on in a plant when the leaves droop and the stems go limp. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English drupen, from Old Norse drūpa; akin to Old English dropa drop

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1647, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for droop

• coop
• coupe
• croup
• drupe
• dupe
• group
• hoop
• loop
• lupe
• oop
• poop
• roop

Kids Definition

droop

1 of 2 verb

ˈdrüp 

1

: to sink, bend, or hang down

2

: to become depressed or weak

droopingly

ˈdrü-piŋ-lē 

adverb

droopy

ˈdrü-pē

adjective

droop

2 of 2 noun

: the condition or appearance of drooping