lave
[leyv]
/ leɪv /
VERB
wash
Synonyms
Antonyms
Frequently Asked Questions
What is another word for lave?
The verb lave is a rarely used word meaning to wash or bathe. Similar words are shower and rinse. A more specific sense of lave used in the context of bodies of water means to flow against or over, as in The tide laved the beach. Similar words used in the context of the gentle flow of water include lap, plash, and purl. Lap implies a gentle movement, without any splashing. Plash suggests a gentle splash. Purl means to flow with a curling sort of motion, as if over stones. In the U.K., lave is sometimes used as an adjective to describe ears as large and drooping. In Scotland, lave is used as a noun to mean the remainder or the rest.
How do you use lave in a sentence?
Lave is no longer commonly used. You may encounter it in literary contexts, often old books and poems. Here are some examples of lave in a sentence:
- At high tide, the water laves the banks of the islands in the inner bay.
- I could spend all day listening to the gentle current lave over the pebbles.
- The wounds of the injured were laved.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By your LAVE, my lord—by your LAVE, ladies.
From The Parent's Assistant by Edgeworth, Maria
Vocabulary lists containing lave
