douse
Low-to-midInformal to general; occasionally used in formal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To pour a liquid, typically water, over something, often to extinguish a fire or to drench.
To extinguish or put out a light or fire; to immerse suddenly in liquid; to drench thoroughly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries a sense of sudden, thorough, and often forceful application of liquid. It can also be used metaphorically to mean 'to suppress' or 'to extinguish' (e.g., douse a rebellion, douse enthusiasm). The less common, but etymologically distinct, meaning of 'to lower (a sail)' or 'to take in' also exists.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'douse' primarily with the same meaning. The spelling is identical. The variant spelling 'dowse' is occasionally used for the 'extinguish' meaning but is more specifically associated with the practice of searching for water (dowsing).
Connotations
No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, but still not a high-frequency word in either dialect.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] douse [object] (with [liquid])[subject] douse [object] (in [liquid])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Douse the flames (literal and metaphorical)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Possibly in safety contexts: 'The system will automatically douse a chemical fire.'
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing. May appear in historical or technical descriptions.
Everyday
Most common in everyday speech, especially in contexts of fire safety, cooking accidents, or heavy rain.
Technical
Used in firefighting, chemistry, or maritime contexts (e.g., 'douse the sails').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He rushed to douse the barbecue with a bucket of water.
- The sudden downpour completely doused our picnic.
- She doused the paraffin lamp before going to bed.
American English
- The firefighters doused the blaze before it spread.
- I got completely doused by a passing car hitting a puddle.
- He doused the campfire thoroughly to prevent any risk.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form.
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form.
American English
- No standard adjective form.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please douse the candles before you leave the room.
- The rain doused my hair.
- The chef had to douse the small pan fire with a damp cloth.
- We were doused by a huge wave while on the boat.
- The announcement doused their hopes of an early holiday.
- Historical accounts describe soldiers dousing the city's flames.
- The government's harsh measures were an attempt to douse the simmering rebellion.
- He metaphorically doused her innovative idea with a torrent of bureaucratic objections.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DOUble USE of water: first to DOUse a fire, and then to dOUchE yourself after getting sooty.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/ACTIVITY IS FIRE ('His angry outburst was quickly doused by her calm reply.'), SUPPRESSION IS EXTINGUISHING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'душ' (shower). 'Douse' implies a more forceful, complete soaking than a typical shower.
- The Russian verb 'залить' captures the sense well, but 'douse' is more specific to intentional pouring to extinguish or soak.
- 'Dowse' (for water) is a homophone but a different concept; context is key.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing spelling with 'dowse'.
- Using it for gentle wetting (e.g., 'douse the plants' sounds overly forceful).
- Incorrect preposition: 'douse by water' instead of 'douse with/in water'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'douse'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Douse' primarily means to drench or extinguish with liquid. 'Dowse' (also spelled 'douse') specifically refers to the practice of searching for underground water or minerals using a divining rod.
Yes, often the liquid (water) is implied, especially when referring to extinguishing flames. 'He doused the fire' clearly implies he used water or another liquid.
It is neither highly formal nor slang. It is a standard, descriptive verb suitable for general and informal use, and occasionally formal contexts like technical reports (e.g., fire safety).
'Douse' implies a sudden, often forceful, action of pouring liquid over something. 'Soak' focuses on the resultant state of being thoroughly wet, which can happen gradually (e.g., soaking beans overnight). You douse a fire to soak the embers.