droop

1 of 2

verb

ˈdrüp 

drooped; drooping; droops

intransitive verb

1

: to hang or incline downward

2

: to sink gradually

3

: to become depressed or weakened : languish

transitive verb

: to let droop

droopingly

ˈdrü-piŋ-lē 

adverb

droop

2 of 2

noun

: the condition or appearance of drooping

Synonyms

Verb

• flag
• hang
• loll
• sag
• swag
• wilt

Noun

• hang
• sag
• slack
• slackness

Examples of droop in a Sentence

Verb

The flowers were drooping in the hot sun.

Her eyelids drooped as she grew tired.

The tree's branches drooped under the weight of the snow.

His spirits drooped when he didn't get the job.

Noun

tighten the line at the top of the banner so there won't be so much droop

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Common signs your Christmas tree is dying include needle dropping, browning or discoloration, drooping branches, and even a musty smell. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024

Both dryness and over-watering can cause the plant to droop and the leaves to fall off. —Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

Noun

Their Plump-kin creams, which contain pumpkin, seems to have had a major effect on tightening up my neck jowls and has tightened up my under-chin droop in just a couple of weeks. —Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

The droop is caused by a lack of water in the plant’s system. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English drupen, from Old Norse drūpa; akin to Old English dropa drop

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1647, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

droop

1 of 2 verb

ˈdrüp 

1

: to sink, bend, or hang down

2

: to become depressed or weak

droopingly

ˈdrü-piŋ-lē 

adverb

droopy

ˈdrü-pē

adjective

droop

2 of 2 noun

: the condition or appearance of drooping