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

Other Word Forms

• droopingly adverb
• redroop verb (used without object)
• undrooping adjective
• drooping 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

Twenty tails drooped down between four times as many legs.

Read more on Literature

The reversal in fortunes has popularized the notion of a K-shaped economy, in which, like the letter, the upper arm rises while the lower arm droops.

Read more on Barron's

Misuse of Botox can cause drooping eyelids, blurred vision, headaches and, in rare cases, respiratory failure or paralysis.

Read more on BBC

The thing looked like a glider with a jet engine, its wings twice as long as its body, so long they drooped when the plane was at rest.

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Mark's speech started to go, and one side of his face drooped - classic stroke symptoms.

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Related Words

• dangle 
• sag 
• slouch 
• wilt 
• wither