Lave Meaning in English
word
ˈɫeɪv
LAYV
lˈeɪv
LAYV
Definition
To wash or bathe something, especially in a poetic, formal, or literary way. Can also mean for water to flow gently over something.
Usage & Nuances
Rare and literary—almost never used in everyday speech. Common in old poetry or formal writing. Modern English uses 'wash' or 'bathe' for daily life. Can also describe rivers or waves gently covering land ('The river laves the shore').
Spanish: lavarPortuguese (BR): lavarPortuguese (PT): lavarChinese (Simplified): 洗涤 (正式/古语)Chinese (Traditional): 洗滌 (正式/古語)Hindi: धोना (आमतौर पर साहित्यिक)Arabic: يَغْسِل (رسمي/أدبي)Bengali: ধোয়া - স্নান করানো (সাহিত্যিক) - স্পর্শ করা (জল দিয়ে, সাহিত্যিক)Russian: омывать - омывать (поэтическое) - обмыватьJapanese: 洗う（文学的・詩的） - 洗い流すVietnamese: rửa (thơ ca, văn học) - tắm rửa (văn chương) - tưới mátKorean: 적시다 (문학적) - 씻다 (문학적/시적)Turkish: yıkamak (edebi) - temizlemek (şiirsel) - dalgaların yıkamasıUrdu: دھونا (ادبی) - غسل دینا (ادبی) - بہانا (پانی سے)Indonesian: membasuh (puitis/literer) - membilas (sastra) - mengaliri
Example Sentences
The mother laved her baby's face with warm water.
basic
He knelt by the stream and laved his hands.
basic
The rain laved the dusty road.
basic
Gentle waves laved the sunlit rocks along the beach.
natural
As the sun set, the river slowly laved the roots of the ancient trees.
natural
She felt the cool water lave her tired feet after a long walk.
natural