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Synonyms

bask

American  
[bask] / bæsk /

verb (used without object)

  1. to lie in or be exposed to a pleasant warmth.

    to bask in the sunshine.

  2. to enjoy a pleasant situation.

    He basked in royal favor.


verb (used with object)

  1. Obsolete. to expose to warmth or heat.

bask British  
/ bɑːsk /

verb

  1. to lie in or be exposed to pleasant warmth, esp that of the sun

  2. to flourish or feel secure under some benevolent influence or favourable condition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bask

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old Norse bathask “to bathe oneself,” equivalent to bath- bath 1 + -ask reflexive suffix

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.

On a card lacking stars from previous years like Tom Aspinall and Paddy Pimblett, Murphy was given a golden opportunity to bask in the spotlight but Evloev had other ideas.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Pull up to bask in the glory of genres with Black roots: techno, house and ghettotech.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

That movie never happened and Reisman died in 2012 at the age of 82, still insisting he deserved to bask in the spotlight.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

For those who do know the artist, it’s an opportunity to bask in the presence of her best-known images while discovering new works that deepen one’s appreciation for her singular eye.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

I finally reach row 33,1 want to stop and bask in the view of my mom and dad, Jeffrey, and my grandparents all standing together for me.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick