bask

UK: /ˈbɑːsk/ US: /bæsk/ ,(bask, bäsk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

bask /bæsk/   v. [no object]

1. to be exposed to pleasant warmth:
   basking in the sun.
2. to take great pleasure:
   The actor basked in appreciative applause.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bask  (bask, bäsk), v.i. 

1. to lie in or be exposed to a pleasant warmth:
   to bask in the sunshine.
2. to enjoy a pleasant situation:
   He basked in royal favor.

v.t. 

3. [Obs.] to expose to warmth or heat.

• Old Norse bathask to bathe oneself, equivalent. to bath- bath¹ + -ask reflexive suffix
• Middle English 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bask / bɑːsk/ verb (intransitive) usually followed by in:

1. to lie in or be exposed to pleasant warmth, esp that of the sun
2. to flourish or feel secure under some benevolent influence or favourable condition

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old Norse bathask to bathe