droop

Everyday

1. To hang or bend down because of being weak, tired or without water, as in «The flowers drooped in the heat». tree →
2. To become sad or lose energy, as in «His spirits drooped». tree →
3. (noun) A downward bend or slope. tree →

In the lessons

In science, a plant without water droops because its cells lose water and it cannot stay stiff (a wilting plant). In stories, drooping eyelids show tiredness, a drooping head shows sadness. In art, it describes shapes that sag.

Examples

• The sunflowers drooped in the hot sun. tree →
• Water the plant before it droops. tree →
• My eyelids drooped during the long film. tree →
• The puppy's ears droop when it is sad. tree →
• His shoulders drooped when he heard the bad news. tree →
• The tent drooped after the rain. tree →
• He gave it water, but still it drooped. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Close words: «wilt» (for plants), «sag», «flop». Do not confuse with «drop» (fall down) or «drool» (spit coming from the mouth).