droop

American  

[droop] / drup /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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noun

1. the act or state of drooping

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of droop

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

Example Sentences

Researchers can reduce the efficiency droop by tilting the InGaN layers and cutting the wafer into different orientations, which alter the resulting crystal's properties.

From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2024

In the spring, maroon flowers droop from the branches.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2024

The dancers droop and drag when they’re alone, anxiously turning in on themselves as though they might like to disappear entirely.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2024

As the carrots lost their moisture, their cells lost their shape, causing the veggies to droop.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 23, 2024

The drapes were drawn, but he could see the shape of carved bedposts, and the droop of the velvet canopy over his head.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• dangle
• sag
• slouch
• wilt
• wither