bask

verb

ˈbask 

basked; basking; basks

intransitive verb

1

: to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere

basking in the warmth of the sun

2

: to take pleasure or derive enjoyment

basked in the spotlight

transitive verb

obsolete : to warm by continued exposure to heat

… basks at the fire his hairy strength …

—John Milton

Synonyms

• kick back
• loll
• lounge
• relax
• repose
• rest

Examples of bask in a Sentence

We sat basking in the sun.

Tourists were basking on the beaches.

He stood before the audience, basking in their applause.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Guy's Grocery Games star took to Instagram on Thursday to share two adorable photos of his beloved French Bulldog, Cash Fieri, basking in the sun on a hot Florida day. —Emily Rella, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Summertime flowers like dahlias can be started indoors in pots and then moved outdoors to bask in warm weather. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2025

SeaWorld passholder Alexis Cacioppo, drove from Los Angeles with her wife and their 2-year-old son Enzo to bask in the wonder of the jellies. —Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025

The four leopards, likely the mother and her cubs, are seen basking in the sun and occasionally interacting before walking out of the camera’s view. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from Old Norse bathask, reflexive of batha to bathe; akin to Old English bæth bath

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing bask

• bask in the glory
• bask in the reflected glory

Rhymes for bask

• ask
• basque
• cask
• casque
• flask
• mask
• masque
• pasch
• task
• subtask
• unmask

Kids Definition

bask

verb

ˈbask 

: to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere

bask in the sun

basked in their success