Lave

/leɪv/

Meaning & Definition

verb
To wash or bathe.
She decided to lave her hands before dinner to ensure they were clean.
To wash or flow over something, often in a gentle or soothing manner.
The gentle waves of the ocean lave the sandy shore.
To pour liquid over; to wash or bathe someone or something in liquid.
He laved the dog with cool water to help it cool down on the hot day.

Etymology

Middle English 'laven', from Old English 'lafa', meaning 'to wash'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

lave one's hands:
To wash one's hands, especially for cleanliness.
lave in luxury:
To immerse oneself in a luxurious or indulgent situation.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

To get clean or tidy up, often in a casual or humorous context.
I need to lave before heading out tonight!
To wash away problems or worries.
Let’s lave out those bad vibes and enjoy the moment.