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

The split between the two companies points to a so-called K-shaped economy —named that way because the upper arm rises while the lower arm droops.

From Barron's

The skin around her neck gathered in drooping wrinkles.

From Literature

My body drooped and I gave her a look that said, “Do I have to?” without the words.

From Literature

The wooden power pole tilted at a forty-five-degree angle while the lines drooped downward.

From Literature

But her skin had drooped, so it hung down in a grouchy look, and sometimes it was hard to see the smile underneath.

From Literature

Related Words

• dangle
• sag
• slouch
• wilt
• wither