Word
doused
US/ˈdaʊst/
UK/dˈaʊsd/
Definition
v. to pour a lot of water or other liquid over something until it is very wet. You also use it when you put out a fire with water.
v. past tense and past participle of 'douse'; to drench something with liquid or to extinguish a flame or light.
Examples
“She douses the campfire with water every night.”
“After the barbecue, he doused the coals with a bucket of water to make sure they were out.”
“The firefighters doused the burning roof with foam while neighbours watched from the street below.”
Examples
simple
“She douses the campfire with water every night.”
contextual
“After the barbecue, he doused the coals with a bucket of water to make sure they were out.”
complex
“The firefighters doused the burning roof with foam while neighbours watched from the street below.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “doused” in context.
Verb
01. douse blaze
“They doused the blaze with foam from two fire engines.”
verb + noun
02. douse fire
“Crews doused the fire before it could spread to nearby houses.”
verb + noun
03. douse in petrol
“The logs were doused in petrol before lighting the bonfire.”
verb + prep + noun
04. douse with water
“He doused his burning shirt with water from the tap.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. quickly douse
“She quickly doused the campfire with a bucket of water.”
adv + verb
06. thoroughly douse
“Firefighters thoroughly doused the building to stop it reigniting.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. douse body
“He doused his body with water during the heatwave.”
verb + noun
08. douse head
“She doused her head with cold water to cool down.”
verb + noun
09. douse a campfire with water
“Always douse a campfire with water before leaving.”
10. douse the flames with water
“Volunteers rushed to douse the flames with water.”
11. doused the blaze with foam
“Fire crews doused the blaze with foam within an hour.”
12. thoroughly doused in cold water
“He was thoroughly doused in cold water for the challenge.”
Usage
Transitive; takes a direct object, often followed by 'with' or 'in' for the liquid.
Real-World Examples
“Four men have been jailed for killing a member of an organised crime group who was tortured, doused in petrol and set alight.” “When record rainfall brought by Storm Boris doused Vienna on 15 September, the impact looked dramatic: flooded roads, evacuated houses, a gentle stream that turned into a roaring torrent.” “The woman was on her way to board a train in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh to attend a court hearing over her rape when she was doused with kerosene and set on fire on Thursday, according to police.” “The chief executive of Chinese tech giant Baidu has been doused with water during a speech about artificial intelligence (AI).” Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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