droop

[ droop ]

verb (used without object)

1. to sag, sink, bend, or hang down, as from weakness, exhaustion, or lack of support.

   Synonyms: languish, flag

2. to fall into a state of physical weakness; flag; fail.

   Synonyms: fade, wither, wilt, faint, decline, weaken

3. to lose spirit or courage.
4. to descend, as the sun; sink.

verb (used with object)

1. to let sink or drop:

   an eagle drooping its wings.

noun

1. a sagging, sinking, bending, or hanging down, as from weakness, exhaustion, or lack of support.

droop

/ druːp /

verb

1. to sag or allow to sag, as from weakness or exhaustion; hang down; sink
2. intr to be overcome by weariness; languish; flag
3. intr to lose courage; become dejected

noun

1. the act or state of drooping

Derived Forms

• ˈdroopingly, adverb
• ˈdrooping, adjective

Other Words From

• drooping·ly adverb
• re·droop verb (used without object)
• un·drooping adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of droop¹

1300–50; Middle English drupen, drowpen < Old Norse drūpa; akin to drop

Word History and Origins

Origin of droop¹

C13: from Old Norse drūpa; see drop

Example Sentences

A few are recovering from eating disorders; their cheeks are hollow and their scrawny arms droop like slack rubber bands.

From The Daily Beast

The thinner you become, the lower your leptin levels droop, and the more food it takes to satisfy your appetite.

From The Daily Beast

He looked up, half shutting his one funny eye, and cocking one ear up, and letting the other droop down.

From Project Gutenberg

Love has come rushing to the beck of a tip-tilted chin, or the tone of a voice, or the droop of an eyelid.

From Project Gutenberg

Then his head grew very tired, and his eyes began to droop till they were tight shut and he fell asleep.

From Project Gutenberg

The old gentleman shook his head, let his arms sadly droop, and appeared to sink into deep musing.

From Project Gutenberg

The Duchess bore it again, but the lines of her mouth, with the strong droop at the corners, became a trifle grim.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dangle
• sag
• slouch
• wilt
• wither