salivate

verb

sal·​i·​vate ˈsa-lə-ˌvāt 

salivated; salivating

intransitive verb

1

: to have a flow of saliva especially in excess

2

: to show great desire or anticipation : drool

salivation

ˌsa-lə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

salivator

ˈsa-lə-ˌvā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• dribble
• drivel
• drool
• slaver
• slobber

Examples of salivate in a Sentence

The smell alone was enough to make me salivate.

She was salivating at the prospect of traveling to Europe.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other teams should be salivating at the chance to acquire Antetokounmpo. —Eric Koreen, New York Times, 1 May 2025

The crispy chicken dumplings, tuna crispy rice, and wagyu beef are all worth salivating over. —Essence, 30 Apr. 2025

As a label, Louboutin is always a little decadent and delicious, thanks to its sky-high stilettos and fun flats, which tend to have fans salivating at the mouth and coveting more. —Freya Drohan, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, Democrats are salivating as Musk voices his opinions during interviews and provides material that could politically benefit the minority party. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for salivate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

salivate

verb

sal·​i·​vate ˈsal-ə-ˌvāt 

salivated; salivating

: to produce or secrete saliva especially in large amounts

salivation

ˌsal-ə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

salivate

verb

sal·​i·​vate ˈsal-ə-ˌvāt 

salivated; salivating

transitive verb

: to produce an abnormal flow of saliva in (as by the use of mercury)

intransitive verb

: to have a flow of saliva especially in excess