# drooling

/ˈdɹuɫɪŋ/ (US) · /dɹˈuːlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drooling
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

letting liquid come out of your mouth because you are very hungry or excited about something. You can also use it to describe someone who is showing too much interest in something they want.

For teachers: exhibiting an involuntary flow of saliva from the mouth; often used metaphorically to describe intense desire or anticipation. Frequently appears as a participial adjective following a linking verb.

## Examples

- The dog was drooling as he watched me eat my steak.
- The fans were practically drooling over the leaked photos of the new smartphone model.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the preposition 'over' when describing a strong desire for an object or person.

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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.