droop

American  

[droop] / drup /

verb (used without object)

1. to sag, sink, bend, or hang down, as from weakness, exhaustion, or lack of support.

   Synonyms:

   languish, flag

2. to fall into a state of physical weakness; flag; fail.

   Synonyms:

   fade, wither, wilt, faint, decline, weaken

3. to lose spirit or courage.

4. to descend, as the sun; sink.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to let sink or drop.

   an eagle drooping its wings.

noun

1. a sagging, sinking, bending, or hanging down, as from weakness, exhaustion, or lack of support.

droop British  

/ druːp /

verb

1. to sag or allow to sag, as from weakness or exhaustion; hang down; sink

2. (intr) to be overcome by weariness; languish; flag

3. (intr) to lose courage; become dejected

---

noun

1. the act or state of drooping

Other Word Forms

• drooping adjective
• droopingly adverb
• redroop verb (used without object)
• undrooping adjective

Etymology

Origin of droop

1300–50; Middle English drupen, drowpen < Old Norse drūpa; akin to drop

Example Sentences

In his wake, the mushrooms drooped back toward the earth, lifeless.

From Literature

Torak judged it safe to let Wolf walk, and the cub plodded before him with drooping tail.

From Literature

Designed by Na Song, the cover features drooping blue crayon text and a small illustration of a girl.

From Los Angeles Times

Her eyes drooped as she rested her head on her paws.

From Literature

Outside, through the ice-obscured glass, I could just make out power lines drooping dangerously low.

From Literature

Related Words

• dangle
• sag
• slouch
• wilt
• wither