douse
douse — verb
- dousepresent simple I / you / we / they
- douseshe / she / it
- dousedpast simple
- dousing-ing form
1. to pour a large amount of liquid over someone or something, so that they become
to pour a large amount of liquid over someone or something, so that they become completely wet
David doused his friend with a bucket of cold water on a hot afternoon.
douse + object + with + liquid
Apinya accidentally doused her notebook with tea when the cup slipped off the desk.
Before grilling, Omar doused the chicken pieces in lemon juice and herbs.
Jin and Kasia doused each other with water pistols at the summer festival.
- dry
to remove liquid or moisture from
文法句型
douse + object + with/in + noun
用法筆記
The liquid is usually specified with 'with' (for pouring over) or 'in' (for immersing or coating). This sense often describes accidental spills or deliberate drenching as part of cooking or play.
常見錯誤
2. to cause a fire to go out or a light to stop shining by using water, sand, or a
to cause a fire to go out or a light to stop shining by using water, sand, or a cover that blocks the air
The campers doused their campfire with sand before hiking back to the car.
douse + fire + with + extinguishing material
Firefighters doused the burning warehouse before the flames reached the houses next door.
Before leaving the room, Shanti doused every candle and checked that the stove was off.
Ayesha doused the grill with water after the burgers caught fire.
- extinguish
more formal; can describe putting out any fire or light by any method
- put out
more common in everyday speech; a phrasal verb with the same meaning
文法句型
douse + object (fire / flames / candle)
用法筆記
This is the most common sense of 'douse' in news reports and everyday conversation about fires. The extinguishing material (water, sand, foam) can be included with 'with' or implied by context.
常見錯誤
3. to quickly put something into a liquid and pull it back out, often to give it a
to quickly put something into a liquid and pull it back out, often to give it a coating or to wash it
The baker doused each pastry in honey syrup then sprinkled nuts on top.
douse + object + in + liquid (for coating)
Ishaan doused his paintbrush in water and wiped it on a clean cloth.
Eitan doused the fabric in blue dye and left it to dry in the sun.
Jabari doused the apple slices in caramel sauce for the dessert table.
文法句型
douse + object + in + liquid
用法筆記
This sense is less common than the others and is used mainly in cooking and craft contexts. It differs from 'dip' by suggesting a bit more liquid or a fuller covering.
douse — noun
1. an occasion when someone or something becomes completely wet, especially because
an occasion when someone or something becomes completely wet, especially because a lot of liquid was thrown or poured over them
The sudden wave gave everyone on the deck a thorough dousing with freezing salt water.
a thorough dousing (of/with + liquid)
After the boat race, the winning team got a good dousing from their excited supporters.
Jin got a thorough dousing when the water pipe burst in the kitchen ceiling.
Kasia's unexpected dousing with cold water left her gasping for breath.
文法句型
a dousing (of + noun)
用法筆記
Often used in the phrase 'a thorough dousing' or 'a good dousing' to intensify the sense of complete wetness.
2. a hard hit or punch, especially one delivered to a person's body
a hard hit or punch, especially one delivered to a person's body
The older boy landed a heavy douse on the younger one's shoulder during the argument.
heavy douse + to/on + body part
Omar stumbled backward after a sudden douse to his stomach during the fight.
A sharp douse across the back of the head knocked the thief to the ground.
One solid douse from the older boy sent his younger brother sprawling onto the grass.
文法句型
a douse + to + body part
用法筆記
This meaning is very uncommon in modern English and may sound old-fashioned or regional. In everyday conversation, 'blow' or 'punch' is preferred.