C1verb 2K

Drown

UK /["/draʊn/","/draʊnz/","/draʊnd/","/ˈdraʊnɪŋ/"]/ US /["/draʊn/","/draʊnz/","/draʊnd/","/ˈdraʊnɪŋ/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

to die because you have been underwater too long and you cannot breathe; to kill somebody by holding them underwater

Listen to definition

In simple words: To die by being underwater too long.

Examples

• He could have drowned if someone hadn’t pulled him out of the water in time.
• Many people drown each year due to accidental falls into deep water.
• The noise of the crowd was so loud it drowned out the speaker’s voice.
• Her sobs drowned all other sounds in the quiet room.
• The company was drowning in debt after several bad investments.
• He tried to drown his sorrows in a bottle of whiskey.

Usage notes

Use 'drown' when talking about someone going underwater and not coming back up. It's not appropriate for use in light or humorous contexts.

Grammar pattern

drown + object

Memory hint

Think of a 'drowning clown' who can't keep floating at a party.

Collocations

• drown in water
• drown your sorrows
• drown out noise

Synonyms

• drench

Antonyms

• float
• survive

Common mistakes

• Confused with 'drown' vs 'drone'.
• Using 'drown' reflexively (e.g., 'I drown' instead of 'I am drowning').
• Incorrectly using 'drown' in non-water contexts.