salivated; salivating

intransitive verb

1
: to have a flow of saliva especially in excess
2
: to show great desire or anticipation : drool

Examples of salivate in a Sentence

The smell alone was enough to make me salivate. She was salivating at the prospect of traveling to Europe.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Streamers are salivating over profits these days, not merely subscriber acquisition. Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2024 The Lions' offensive coordinator has to be salivating but the defensive coordinator won't get much sleep while trying to figure out how to stop the Bills offense. Tim Graham, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024 Though the thought of a sizzling hot pizza, served up in one of Pizza Hut's iconic iron skillets no doubt had many salivating, to many, Hubbard's video offered up a slice of something even more appealing: nostalgia. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024 Fans of the movie Conclave will salivate reading this story: The dicastery’s daily operations are kept out of the public eye. Seyward Darby, Longreads, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for salivate 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of salivate was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near salivate

Cite this Entry

“Salivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salivate. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

salivate

verb
salivated; salivating
: to produce or secrete saliva especially in large amounts

Medical Definition

salivate

verb
salivated; salivating

transitive verb

: to produce an abnormal flow of saliva in (as by the use of mercury)

intransitive verb

: to have a flow of saliva especially in excess

More from Merriam-Webster on salivate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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