bathe

/beɪð/ (bre, ipa) · /beɪð/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbāt͟h/ (ame, mw)

bathe — verb

1. to wash your whole body in bath water, or to wash another person that way

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to wash your whole body in bath water, or to wash another person that way

例句

Ella bathed the baby before putting him in clean pajamas.

bathe somebody

After the long walk, I bathed and went straight to bed.

bathe = take a bath

同義詞
  • wash

    broader and can refer to the whole body or just one part

  • shower

    uses running water from above instead of bath water

  • soak

    suggests staying in water for a time, often to relax

文法句型

bathe

bathe somebody

用法筆記

Used for whole-body washing, especially babies, children, or people who need help. Distinguish from sense 2, which usually refers to cleaning one part of the body or a sore place.

常見錯誤

I bathed my hands after dinner.
I washed my hands after dinner.
💡bathe in this sense is for the whole body or for giving someone a bath.

2. to put water or another liquid on an injured, sore, or dirty area, often to clea

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to put water or another liquid on an injured, sore, or dirty area, often to clean it or ease pain

例句

The nurse bathed Leo's burned arm with cool water.

bathe + body part + with + liquid

Rosa bathed the dog's paw after the walk home.

同義詞
  • rinse

    focuses on washing something with flowing water

  • wash

    broader and more general, without the soothing or careful sense

  • sponge

    suggests gently cleaning with a wet cloth or sponge

反義詞
  • dry

    removes moisture instead of applying it

文法句型

bathe something

bathe something with + liquid

用法筆記

The object is usually a wound, body part, or sore place, and the liquid often appears after with. Distinguish from sense 1, where the whole person is washed in bath water.

常見錯誤

She bathed after soccer because her knee hurt.
She bathed her knee after soccer because it hurt.
💡this sense takes the injured part as the object.

3. to swim for pleasure in natural water such as the sea or a river

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to swim for pleasure in natural water such as the sea or a river

例句

In summer, local families bathe off the rocks before breakfast.

bathe in open water

Tourists bathed in the river beside the camp at noon.

bathe in + river

同義詞
  • swim

    the general everyday word and suitable for pools as well as natural water

  • dip

    suggests going into water briefly rather than swimming for a time

  • paddle

    often means standing or walking in shallow water rather than fully swimming

文法句型

bathe

bathe in + place

用法筆記

Usually refers to swimming in the sea, a river, or another outdoor place, not in a pool. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about washing the body.

常見錯誤

We bathed in the pool after class.
We swam in the pool after class.
💡this sense is most natural for natural water such as the sea, a river, or a lake.

4. to spread gentle light over a place or person so that it looks warm or beautiful

4.動詞及物C2
釋義

to spread gentle light over a place or person so that it looks warm or beautiful

例句

Late sun bathed the kitchen walls in soft gold light.

bathe something in light

The valley was bathed in morning light after the storm.

passive: be bathed in light

同義詞
  • flood

    suggests a larger, stronger amount covering the place

  • fill

    more neutral and less literary

  • illuminate

    focuses on making something bright enough to see clearly

反義詞
  • darken

    makes a place less bright instead of lighting it

  • shadow

    casts darkness over part of something

文法句型

bathe something in light

be bathed in light

用法筆記

The subject is usually sunlight, moonlight, a lamp, or another light source. Distinguish from sense 2: here the thing covering something is light, not water or medicine.

常見錯誤

The room was bathed with dark blue paint.
The room was bathed in soft blue light.
💡this sense is about light spreading over something, usually with in.

bathe — noun