awash

adjective

ə-ˈwȯsh 

-ˈwäsh

1

a

: alternately covered and exposed by waves or tide

b

: washing about : afloat

c

: covered with water : flooded

2

: filled, covered, or completely overrun as if by a flood

a movie awash in sentimentality

Synonyms

• bathed
• bedraggled
• doused
• dowsed
• drenched
• dripping
• logged
• saturate
• saturated
• soaked
• soaking
• sodden
• soggy
• sopping
• soppy
• soused
• washed
• water-soaked
• watered
• waterlogged
• watery
• wet

Examples of awash in a Sentence

The deck of the boat was almost awash.

the streets were awash from the heavy rains

Recent Examples on the Web

Every room is awash in natural light and thoughtfully appointed—down to the gallery-like entry hall that sets the tone for the dramatic art and furnishings within. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 June 2025

Visit in spring to avoid the worst of the crowds, and see the landscape awash in seasonal wildflower blooms. —Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025

Star projectors can be wondrous to behold, turning a room into a starry display, awash with colors, nebulas and more. —Chris McMullen, Space.com, 24 May 2025

Their arrival has broadly elevated the quality of Chinese-language news content on YouTube, which has long been awash with political hearsay and armchair analysis, media experts say. —Wenxin Fan, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing awash

• drowning/awash in red ink

Rhymes for awash

• backwash
• downwash
• mouthwash
• outwash
• panache
• whitewash
• bosh
• frosh
• gosh
• josh
• posh
• quash

Kids Definition

awash

adjective

ə-ˈwȯsh 

-ˈwäsh

1

: washed by waves or tide

2

: floating about

3

a

: flooded or covered with water

b

: filled or covered as if by a flood

an event awash in emotion

Geographical Definition

Awash

geographical name

ˈä-ˌwäsh 

river 500 miles (805 kilometers) long in eastern Ethiopia flowing northeast