awash

¹ American  

[uh-wosh, uh-wawsh] / əˈwɒʃ, əˈwɔʃ /

adjective

1. Nautical.

   1. just level with or scarcely above the surface of the water, so that waves break over the top.

   2. overflowing with water, as the upper deck of a ship in a heavy sea.

2. covered with water.

3. washing about; tossed about by the waves.

4. covered, filled, or crowded.

   streets awash with shoppers; a garden awash in brilliant colors.

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Awash ² American  

[ah-wahsh] / ˈɑ wɑʃ /

Also Hawash

noun

1. a river in E Ethiopia, flowing NE through the Great Rift Valley to near the Djibouti border. 500 miles (805 km) long.

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awash British  

/ əˈwɒʃ /

adverb

1. at a level even with the surface of the sea

2. washed over by the waves

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Etymology

Origin of awash

First recorded in 1825–35; a- ¹ + wash

Example Sentences

Ms. McGarr, who teaches at University of Wisconsin-Madison, is often acerbic about her subjects but notes that they were “awash in patriotic fervor at the same time that they were distrustful and cynical.”

From The Wall Street Journal

A monthslong investigation by The Wall Street Journal revealed the country is awash in them.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a cash-starved state blacklisted by the Group of Seven’s Financial Action Task Force and awash in narcotics and money from online fraud.

From The Wall Street Journal

Social media has been awash with clips of frenzied scenes of celebration back in Parrott's homeland.

From BBC

“There are certain schools where it’s just awash in pro-Palestine propaganda, which is not appropriate. The district is a hostile environment for Jews and Israelis.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afloat
• flooded
• inundated