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bath and bathe

bath​

Pronunciation:

  • bath /bɑːθ/
  • bathing /ˈbɑːθɪŋ/
  • bathed /bɑːθt/

This verb is not used in American English.

It can have an object.

  • It’s your turn to bath the baby.

And it can be used to mean ‘bath oneself’.

  • I don’t think he baths very often.

This use is rather formal; people more often say have/take a bath (and this is also common in American English).

  • I’m feeling hot and sticky; I think I’ll have a bath.

bathe​

Pronunciation:

  • bathe /beɪð/
  • bathing /ˈbeɪðɪŋ/
  • bathed /beɪðd/

Bathe is the American equivalent of the British verb bath.

  • It’s your turn to bathe the baby. (AmE)
  • I always bathe before I go to bed. (AmE) (or … take a bath)

Bathe can also be used (in both British and American English) to talk about putting water on a part of the body that hurts (for instance sore eyes).

  • Your eyes are very red – you ought to bathe them.

And bathe can be used to mean ‘swim for pleasure’ in British English.

  • NO BATHING FROM THIS BEACH

This use is rather formal; people more often say have a swim, go for a swim, go swimming or just swim.

  • Let’s go for a swim in the river.