# doused

/ˈdaʊst/ (US) · /dˈaʊsd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/doused
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Synonyms

extinguish, drench

## Antonyms

Dry

## Usage notes

- Transitive; takes a direct object, often followed by 'with' or 'in' for the liquid.

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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.
