drowse

\ ˈdrau̇z

How to pronounce drowse (audio)

\

drowsed; drowsing

Definition of drowse

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

Definition of drowse (Entry 2 of 2)

: the act or an instance of drowsing : doze

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about drowse

Keep scrolling for more

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 Stars lounged and drowsed: Muhammad Ali with a newspaper, Peter Cook in his old mac on a lilo in a Hollywood pool. — The Economist, "Obituary: Terry O’Neill died on November 16th," 21 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: 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, "The tragic, unsolved murder of Hogan's Heroes star Bob Crane," 26 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'drowse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about drowse

Dictionary Entries near drowse

drown one's sorrows/fears

Statistics for drowse

Cite this Entry

“Drowse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drowse. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

misbegotten

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

More Confusing Words—Quiz

The magician ______ moved the selected card to the top of the deck.

discretely discreetly

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.