bath
bath
Pronunciation
bath: /bæθ/
/b/ - voiced bilabial plosive
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel
/θ/ - voiceless dental fricative
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: bath
Plural Noun: baths
Verb (base form): bath
Verb (third-person singular present): baths
Verb (present participle): bathing
Verb (past tense/past participle): bathed
Adjective: bathed (less common, often implies having been bathed)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A washing of the body, usually in a tub of water, for cleanliness or pleasure.
Synonyms: wash, shower, soak, dip
Antonyms: dirtiness (in the context of needing a bath), dryness (in the context of not being in water)
A large container, typically found in a bathroom, that is filled with water for washing oneself.
Synonyms: bathtub, tub
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms for the container itself, but one might consider "shower stall" as a contrasting cleaning facility)
A public or communal building or facility where people can wash themselves or swim.
Synonyms: public baths, spa, swimming pool (if designed for bathing/swimming)
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms; implies a private setting if contrasting)
Verb
To wash someone or something in a bath of water.
Synonyms: wash, cleanse, rinse, shower (when used transitively)
Antonyms: dirty, soil, contaminate
To take a bath; to wash oneself in a bath of water.
Synonyms: wash, shower, cleanse oneself
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms; implies not engaging in the act of bathing)
Examples of Use
Books:
"She filled the bath with warm water and a generous amount of lavender salts, hoping the aroma would calm her frayed nerves." (Fictional novel, general setting)
"Every evening, after a long day in the fields, the children would eagerly await their turn for a quick bath in the communal washhouse." (Historical fiction, rural setting)
Newspapers:
"The city council approved plans for a new public bath facility, aiming to provide hygiene services for underserved communities." (The Daily Herald)
"Experts warn that frequent hot baths may not be suitable for individuals with certain cardiovascular conditions." (The Health Gazette)
Online Publications:
"7 Luxurious Bath Bombs That Will Transform Your Evening Soak." (Lifestyle blog, Relax & Unwind)
"The best way to clean your dog after a muddy walk is to give them a thorough bath using a pet-friendly shampoo." (PawPrints Daily)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/TV: (Dialogue) "Darling, I'm going to run a bath. Don't disturb me unless the house is on fire." (From a romantic comedy, scene depicting a character seeking relaxation)
Song Lyrics: "Just a little more time, a little more light, and a long, warm bath to set everything right." (Indie folk song, common theme of self-care)
Video Games: (In-game tutorial text) "Visit the spa to take a refreshing bath and restore your character's energy levels." (Role-playing game, instruction for a game mechanic)
Social Media (e.g., Instagram caption): "Nothing beats a good book and a bubbly bath after a long week! #selfcare #bathtime #relaxation" (Personal post with an image of a bath)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to give the dog a bath; he rolled in something awful at the park." (Casual conversation between friends)
"The baby loves his bath time; he splashes and giggles the whole time." (Parent discussing their child's routine)
"This whole project has been an absolute bath," (Informal expression meaning a complete disaster or failure, often heard in professional settings when a project goes wrong)
"After that strenuous hike, all I want is a nice, long bath." (Statement made by someone feeling tired and in need of relaxation)
10 Famous Quotes Using Bath
"There is no point in taking a bath if you're not going to get clean." (Proverb, commonly attributed)
"What a lovely thing a bath is! A poet once said, 'The soul is purified in the bath.'" (Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None)
"I believe in manicures. I believe in pedicures. I believe in getting too much beauty sleep. I believe in staying slim, and getting a facial, and a good bath." (Audrey Hepburn, Sabrina (though attributed to her character))
"The best things in life are free: hugs, smiles, friends, sleep, love, sun, air, family, and baths." (Attributed to Robert E. Lee, though likely a modern sentiment)
"A good long bath and a cup of tea is the answer to everything." (Unknown, common comforting sentiment)
"He was as miserable as a wet cat that had fallen in a bath of cold water." (Metaphorical, evoking an image of misery)
"I'm going to take a long, hot bath and pretend the world doesn't exist for an hour." (Common sentiment in public discourse, expressing a desire for escape)
"My idea of bliss is a good book, a cup of tea, and a warm bubble bath." (Popular sentiment, often shared in lifestyle contexts)
"Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery and a good bath to wash away the day's worries." (Lesser-known, but often expressed idea)
"Life is a cold bath - if you don't jump in, you'll never get warm." (Original quote, metaphorical use to encourage embracing challenges)
Etymology
The word "bath" has a long and interesting history, going all the way back to ancient times!
In its simplest terms, "bath" comes from a very old root word that essentially meant "to warm" or "to heat." This is because, historically, bathing often involved heated water, or taking advantage of natural hot springs.
Let's break it down:
First known use and meaning: The word "bath" first appeared in Old English (which was spoken before the year 1150 AD) as "bæþ." At that time, it had a few meanings:
The act of immersing the body in water (or even mud!) for cleaning or other purposes.
A quantity of water used for bathing.
It could also refer to a place for bathing, like a public bathhouse.
Ancestors of the word:
"Bæþ" in Old English came from a Proto-Germanic word, "baþą", which carried the same idea of bathing and warmth.
Going even further back, this Proto-Germanic word is thought to have come from a much older Proto-Indo-European root, "bʰeh₁-", which meant "to warm." This shows a consistent theme of heat being linked to the concept of bathing from very early on.
So, while today we often think of a "bath" as just a tub of water, its origins highlight the importance of warmth and the act of cleaning or soaking, whether in water, mud, or even heated air in ancient bathhouses. The city of Bath in England, famous for its hot springs, even got its name from this ancient word!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bath
To take a bath: To wash oneself in a bathtub.
To give someone/something a bath: To wash someone or something in a bathtub.
To throw the baby out with the bathwater: To discard something valuable along with something undesirable when making changes.
A blood bath: A massacre or extremely violent event.
A bubble bath: A bath with many bubbles, usually from a special soap.
To soak in the bath: To relax and spend time in a bath.
To run a bath: To fill a bathtub with water for bathing.
To be bathed in light/glory: To be brightly illuminated or to be honored/celebrated.
To be in hot water: To be in trouble or a difficult situation (using a synonym for a "hot bath").
To clean up your act: To improve one's behavior or performance (idiom with a similar effect to "taking a cleansing bath").
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bath from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
