# awash

/əˈwɑʃ/ (US) · /ɐwˈɒʃ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/awash
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

covered or flooded with a lot of something, like water, money, or light. It describes a situation where there is so much of one thing that it is hard to move or see.

For teachers: covered or flooded with a substance or emotion; overwhelmed by a particular quality or quantity. Often used in the passive voice to describe a state of being surrounded by something.

## Examples

- The city was awash in bright lights after the parade.
- After the storm, the entire valley was awash in mud and debris, making the roads impassable for weeks.
- The gallery was awash in a sea of red and gold, as the artist's latest collection was unveiled to a crowd of critics and collectors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.