drowse

1 of 2

verb

ˈdrau̇z 

drowsed; drowsing

intransitive verb

1

: to be inactive

2

: to fall into a light slumber

transitive verb

1

: to make drowsy or inactive

2

: to pass (time) drowsily or in drowsing

drowse

2 of 2

noun

: the act or an instance of drowsing : doze

Synonyms of drowse

Verb

• nap
• relax
• rest
• doze
• slumber

Noun

• nap

Examples of drowse in a Sentence

Verb

picnickers drowsing in the shade of an oak tree

Noun

was just falling into a drowse when you called

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Some shaggy buffalo drowsed in a patch of shade, and a hose fed water into a large puddle where a white goose paddled in tight circles. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026

The dog, Russ, drowsed on the floor at his owner’s feet, drooling onto the tile. — Literary Hub, 11 May 2026

Noun

The wealthy suburb of Phoenix drowses in the heat of the Sonoran Desert, sprinkled with luxury resorts catering to snowbirds in what Arizonans call the Valley of the Sun. — Lynette Rice, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably akin to Goth driusan to fall — more at dreary

First Known Use

Verb

1570, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for drowse

• boughs
• bows
• brows
• browse
• cows
• dhows
• howes
• mows
• ploughs
• plows
• prows
• scows

Kids Definition

drowse

verb

ˈdrau̇z

drowsed; drowsing

: doze

drowse noun