Salivate: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿคค
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salivate

 

[ หˆsรฆl.ษ™.veษชt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in anticipation

To produce saliva in the mouth as a reaction to the sight or smell of food, often as a sign of hunger.

Synonyms

dribble, drip, slobber.

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Word Description / Examples
salivate

Used to describe the production of saliva, often in anticipation of food or something appealing.

  • Just thinking about the delicious steak makes me salivate
  • The dog would salivate every time it heard the dinner bell
dribble

Commonly used to describe a small, uncontrolled flow of liquid, often saliva or water, coming from the mouth or another source.

  • The baby started to dribble as it was teething
  • Water began to dribble from the leaky faucet
slobber

Used to describe excessive drooling, usually in a messy or exaggerated manner. It often has a negative or slightly gross connotation.

  • The dog would slobber all over anyone who came close
  • He was so excited that he couldn't help but slobber all over his shirt
drip

Used to describe liquid falling in drops from a surface or container.

  • Raindrops began to drip from the roof after the storm
  • The paint started to drip from the brush onto the floor

Examples of usage

  • The delicious aroma from the kitchen made him salivate.
  • As soon as she saw the chocolate cake, she began to salivate.
  • I always salivate when I think about my favorite meal.
Context #2 | Verb

medical

To have excessive saliva in the mouth, often due to a medical condition.

Synonyms

drool, spit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
salivate

Use 'salivate' when referring to the production of saliva, often in anticipation of eating something delicious or in response to a pleasant thought. It is generally used in a neutral or positive context.

  • He began to salivate at the sight of the gourmet meal.
  • The dogs salivate when they hear the sound of the food bowls.
drool

Use 'drool' when saliva is flowing from the mouth unintentionally. This can happen to people or animals, often in a context that may be seen as embarrassing or unappealing. It often has a negative or humorous connotation.

  • The baby started to drool all over her new dress.
  • The dog would drool whenever we brought out his leash.
spit

Use 'spit' when referring to the forceful expulsion of saliva or other substances from the mouth. This word can have a negative or aggressive connotation, especially if done in public or towards another person.

  • He was so angry that he spat on the ground.
  • It's rude to spit on the sidewalk.

Examples of usage

  • The medication caused him to salivate uncontrollably.
  • Some people salivate more when they are nervous.
Context #3 | Verb

informal

To express excessive admiration or desire for something.

Synonyms

covet, crave.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
salivate

Often used to describe the physical reaction of producing saliva, especially when seeing or smelling food. It can also be metaphorically used to describe eager anticipation.

  • Seeing the delicious dessert made me salivate
  • Investors are salivating at the prospect of higher profits
covet

This word has a connotation of desiring something that belongs to someone else and can carry a negative implication of envy or jealousy.

  • She coveted her neighbor's new car
  • It's not good to covet what others have
crave

Used to express a strong desire or longing for something, especially related to food, experiences, or sensations.

  • Pregnant women often crave unusual foods
  • After a long day, I crave some quiet time

Examples of usage

  • He would salivate over the latest gadgets.
  • She would salivate at the thought of a vacation.

Translations

Translations of the word "salivate" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น salivar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฒเคพเคฐ เคŸเคชเค•เคพเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช speicheln

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengeluarkan air liur

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะปัŽะฝั–ั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ล›liniฤ‡ siฤ™

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ˆใ ใ‚Œใ‚’ๅž‚ใ‚‰ใ™

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท saliver

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ salivar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท salya akฤฑtmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์นจ์„ ํ˜๋ฆฌ๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณุงู„ ู„ุนุงุจู‡

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ slinit

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sliniลฅ sa

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆตๅฃๆฐด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ sliniti se

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ slefa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัั–ะปะตะบะตะน ะฐา“ั‹ะทัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒœแƒ”แƒ แƒฌแƒงแƒ•แƒ˜แƒก แƒ’แƒแƒ›แƒแƒงแƒแƒคแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tรผkrรผk ifraz etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ salivar

Etymology

The word 'salivate' comes from the Latin word 'salivare', meaning 'to produce saliva'. Saliva plays a crucial role in digestion by moistening the food and breaking down starches. The act of salivating is a natural response to the anticipation of food or due to certain medical conditions. In a more figurative sense, 'salivate' can also be used to convey intense desire or admiration for something.

See also: saliva.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,612, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.