drool

American  

[drool] / drul /

verb (used without object)

1. to water at the mouth, as in anticipation of food; salivate; drivel.

2. to show excessive pleasure or anticipation of pleasure.

3. to talk foolishly.

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noun

1. saliva running down from one's mouth; drivel.

drool British  

/ druːl /

verb

1. to show excessive enthusiasm (for) or pleasure (in); gloat (over)

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verb

1. another word for drivel drivel drivel

Etymology

Origin of drool

1795–1805; variant of driule, itself variant of drivel

Explanation

The dampness that forms in your mouth when you smell something delicious is drool. When it actually drips from your mouth, you drool. The official term for drool is saliva. Babies drool, dogs drool — we all drool sometimes. Sometimes people drool (or salivate) because of problems with their salivary glands. You might drool when you skip breakfast and your friend offers you a warm, homemade cinnamon roll. The word comes from drivel, which today means "speak nonsense," but originally had the sense of "to slobber or run at the nose."

Example Sentences

If the thought of watching Kardashian face off with the Emmy-winning actor who played Marcia Clark in “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” makes you drool a little, dry those gums.

From Salon • Nov. 6, 2025

Check out Sussman’s website to drool over his selection and call ahead to see if your favorites are available.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2025

“Go find 10 images of bathrooms you just drool over,” West says.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023

Castles, volcanoes and yurts — oh my — whiz past at a clip that would make a dice-roller drool.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2023

When she entered, the old woman was snoring loudly, mouth agape and a slight trail of drool beginning to trickle from the side.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Related Words

• salivate