verb / noun

droop

DROOP/druːp/

A sagging or sinking from lack of strength or firmness.

The sunflower’s heavy head begins to droop.

A drooping sunflower head bends under its own weight.

Etymology

droopOld Norseto drop, sink, hang the head

Old Norse drupa included hanging the head, a concrete example of sinking downward. Droop preserves that image in a head, stem, or other thing that bends or hangs low.

In context

Babak Azizzadeh0:13

SHE DEVELOPED BELL'S PALSY LAST YEAR. IN FACT, IT CAUSED ONE SIDE OF HER FACE TO DROOP.

Angelina Jolie's Bell's Palsy Recovery - Dr Babak Azizzadeh featured on MichaeLA

More examples

His shoulders drooped after the bad news.
A slight droop appeared at the edge of the curtain.
The tired puppy’s ears drooped beside its face.

Forms

droop · droops · drooped · drooping

Similar words

sag: Sag sinks under weight or weakness; droop often describes a hanging head, leaf, or limb.
wilt: Wilt loses plant firmness or vigor; droop describes the downward posture itself.