drown
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
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to kill by submerging under water or other liquid.
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to destroy or get rid of by, or as if by, immersion.
He drowned his sorrows in drink.
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to flood or inundate.
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to overwhelm so as to render inaudible, as by a louder sound (often followed byout ).
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to add too much water or liquid to (a drink, food, or the like).
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to slake (lime) by covering with water and letting stand.
verb phrase
verb
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to die or kill by immersion in liquid
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(tr) to destroy or get rid of as if by submerging
he drowned his sorrows in drink
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(tr) to drench thoroughly; inundate; flood
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to render (a sound) inaudible by making a loud noise
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have drownedperfect
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has drownedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been drowningperfect progressive
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drowningparticiple
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has been drowningperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am drowningprogressive 1st person singular
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are drowningprogressive
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drownssingular 3rd person
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is drowningprogressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had drownedperfect
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were drowningprogressive plural
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had been drowningperfect progressive
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was drowningprogressive singular
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drownedparticiple
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drownedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of drown
1250–1300; Middle English drounnen, Old English druncnian, perhaps by loss of c between nasals and shift of length from nn to ou
Explanation
The verb drown means to die from inhaling water into the lungs and being unable to breathe. It is possible to drown in even a small amount of water, so it's important to learn proper water safety. You can also use this verb with a direct object: for example, a flash flood might drown animals that live near a river. You can drown things in a less literal way as well. If you drink alcoholic beverages to forget your troubles, for example, you can say you're trying to "drown your sorrows." If you're submerged in a tidal wave of school assignments, then you are "drowning in work."
Vocabulary lists containing drown
"Old World New World" and "The Log of Christopher Columbus"
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Spelling Practice 2, Unit 8
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There’s also plenty of time for more damaging stories to drown out that message.
From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026
"They did not drown," he said, indicating that the two most likely died from "suffocation, as unfortunately often happens".
From Barron's • May 3, 2026
The movie is well-written but haphazardly made, with some choppy editing and a soundtrack of Cheech & Chong original songs that frequently drown out the dialogue to the point of irritation.
From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026
As I headed home, the hum of Lankershim and the neon blur of bars couldn’t drown out the quiet, unmistakable voice inside me whispering, “I think I just met my future husband.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
I put my headphones back on and turn the music loud enough to drown out every other sound, so I can finally fall asleep.
From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
