souse

[ sous ]

/ saʊs /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: souse / soused on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), soused, sous·ing.

to plunge into water or other liquid; immerse.

to drench, as with water.

to dash or pour, as water.

to steep in pickling brine; pickle.

verb (used without object), soused, sous·ing.

to plunge into water or other liquid.

to be soaked or drenched.

to be steeping or soaking in something.

noun

an act of sousing.

something kept or steeped in pickle, especially the head, ears, and feet of a pig.

a liquid used as a pickle.

Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a habitual drinker of alcohol who is frequently intoxicated.

OTHER WORDS FOR souse

2 douse, saturate, soak, waterlog, wet.

See synonyms for souse on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of souse

First recorded 1350–1400 and in 1915–20 for def. 11; Middle English noun souce, sows, from Old French souz, sous, souce “pickled (meat),” from Germanic (akin to salt¹); the verb is derivative of the noun

Words nearby souse

sourwood, Sousa, Sousa, John Philip, sousaphone, sous-chef, souse, soused, souslik, sou-sou, Sousse, sous-sous

Other definitions for souse (2 of 2)

souse²

[ sous ]

/ saʊs /

Archaic.

verb (used without object), soused, sous·ing.

to swoop down.

verb (used with object), soused, sous·ing.

to swoop or pounce upon.

noun Falconry.

a rising while in flight.

a swooping or pouncing.

Origin of souse

First recorded in 1350–1400; by-form of source in its earlier literal sense “rising”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use souse in a sentence

"Don't waste your time on the big souse, Jim," said Elaine clutching at the arm of the man who had threatened her.
The Boy Grew Older|Heywood Broun
Tubs and hose on deck supplied ample means for the morning souse.
Recollections of Thirty-nine Years in the Army|Charles Alexander Gordon
Good master, send for a souse-wife, if youll have my face cleaner.
The Mermaid Series. Edited by H. Ellis. The best plays of the old dramatists. Thomas Dekker. Edited, with an introduction and notes by Ernest Rhys.|Thomas Dekker
Souse Manhattan Island two feet deep in fresh water, and wouldn't the price of quinine rise?
Palmetto-Leaves|Harriet Beecher Stowe

Now unless Aimwell has made good use of his time, all our fair machine goes souse into the sea like the Eddystone.
The Beaux-Stratagem|George Farquhar

British Dictionary definitions for souse (1 of 2)

souse¹

/ (saʊs) /

verb

to plunge (something, oneself, etc) into water or other liquid

to drench or be drenched

(tr) to pour or dash (liquid) over (a person or thing)

to steep or cook (food) in a marinade

(tr; usually passive) slang to make drunk

noun

the liquid or brine used in pickling

the act or process of sousing

slang a habitual drunkard

Word Origin for souse

C14: from Old French sous, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German sulza brine

British Dictionary definitions for souse (2 of 2)

souse²

/ (saʊs) falconry (of hawks or falcons) /

verb (intr)

(often foll by on or upon) to swoop suddenly downwards (on a prey)

noun

a sudden downward swoop

Word Origin for souse

C16: perhaps a variant of obsolete vb sense of source

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

souse

OTHER WORDS FOR souse

Origin of souse

Words nearby souse

Other definitions for souse (2 of 2)

Origin of souse

Words related to souse

How to use souse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for souse (1 of 2)

Word Origin for souse

British Dictionary definitions for souse (2 of 2)

Word Origin for souse