Logo
dictionary thesaurus

drowse

verb
\ 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

noun

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

Synonyms for drowse

Synonyms: Verb

catnap, doze, kip [British], nap, slumber, snooze

Synonyms: Noun

catnap, doze, forty winks, kip [chiefly British], nap, siesta, snooze, wink

Visit the Thesaurus 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: 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

First Known Use of drowse

Verb

1573, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1796, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for drowse

Verb

probably akin to Goth driusan to fall — more at dreary

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for drowse

drowse

verb
How to pronounce drowse (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of drowse

: to sleep lightly or to almost be asleep

See the full definition for drowse in the English Language Learners Dictionary

drowse

verb
\ ˈdrau̇z How to pronounce drowse (audio) \
drowsed; drowsing

Kids Definition of drowse

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to sleep lightly

drowse

noun

Kids Definition of drowse (Entry 2 of 2)

: a light sleep : doze

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

meritorious

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!