Word
drenched
US/ˈdɹɛntʃt/
UK/dɹˈɛntʃt/
Definition
adj. completely wet. You use this when someone or something is soaked through, usually by rain or water.
adj. completely soaked or saturated with liquid. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'become' or 'get'.
Examples
“I forgot my umbrella and arrived home drenched.”
“The sudden summer storm caught the hikers in the open, leaving them drenched before they could reach the shelter.”
“The heavy curtains were drenched by the rain blowing through the open window, making them heavy and difficult to pull shut against the wind.”
Examples
simple
“I forgot my umbrella and arrived home drenched.”
contextual
“The sudden summer storm caught the hikers in the open, leaving them drenched before they could reach the shelter.”
complex
“The heavy curtains were drenched by the rain blowing through the open window, making them heavy and difficult to pull shut against the wind.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'in' or 'with' (e.g., 'drenched in sweat', 'drenched with rain').
Pitfall
I am very drench
I am very drenched
Learners sometimes use the base verb 'drench' instead of the participial adjective 'drenched' to describe their state.
Real-World Examples
“Oshima, an island about 120km south of central Tokyo, was drenched with 832mm of rain over 48 hours, more than double its average rainfall for the whole of September, NHK reported.” “Rescue workers continue to seek out those stranded by the storms, which drenched Indiana over the past week.” - 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/drenched