Droop
/druːp/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo bend or hang down heavily; to become weak or spiritless.
/druːp/
To hang or sink down, especially from weakness, exhaustion, or sadness.
The tired dog's ears drooped.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're super tired, and your head starts to fall down, or a flower is sad and its head bends over. That's drooping!
👶 For kids: When something gets tired or sad and hangs down.
More Examples
Her shoulders drooped with disappointment.
The flag drooped in the still air.
How It's Used
"Her eyelids drooped with sleep."
"His spirits drooped after the defeat."
"The flowers drooped in the hot sun."
The act of drooping or a condition of drooping; a downward curve or bend.
/druːp/
The act of drooping.
The droop of the curtains gave the room a melancholy feel.
💡 Simply: The way something bends down or hangs when it's drooping.
👶 For kids: The way something hangs down because it's tired.
More Examples
She noticed a slight droop in his posture.
The artist captured the droop of the flower's head in his painting.
How It's Used
"There was a slight droop to the branches."
Idioms & expressions
droop with weariness
To become very tired or exhausted.
"After a long day of hiking, her eyelids began to droop with weariness."
let one's spirits droop
To become discouraged or lose hope.
"After losing the game, he let his spirits droop."
From Middle English *droupen*, likely of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse *drúpa* ('to hang down').
The word 'droop' has been used since the late 14th century, often in the context of physical decline or a decline in spirits.
Memory tip
Think of a wilting flower. When it lacks water, it droops.