absorbent

adjective

ab·​sor·​bent əb-ˈsȯr-bənt 

-ˈzȯr-

variants or less commonly absorbant

: able to absorb

as absorbent as a sponge

absorbent noun

or less commonly absorbant

Synonyms

• thirsty
• spongy

Examples of absorbent in a Sentence

highly absorbent material that is really good for wiping off automobiles

Recent Examples on the Web

The diapers have a pocketed waistband to protect against blowouts, a super absorbent core, a wetness indicator that turns blue when wet, and a next-size indicator for when your little one is ready to move on up. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 23 July 2025

The tiny balls made out of extremely absorbent polymer material can expand to 100 times their initial size and weight when exposed to liquid – including liquids inside the body when they’re ingested. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 17 July 2025

And half of that is an ingredient called super absorbent polymer, or SAP. —Diana Olick, CNBC, 1 July 2025

Dense or absorbent materials could also take longer to dry. —Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin absorbent-, absorbens, present participle of absorbēre "to absorb"

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for absorbent

• adsorbent
• immunosorbent
• sorbent

Kids Definition

absorbent

adjective

ab·​sor·​bent əb-ˈsȯr-bənt 

-ˈzȯr-

: able to absorb

as absorbent as a sponge

absorbency

əb-ˈsȯr-bən-sē

-ˈzȯr-

noun

absorbent noun

Medical Definition

absorbent

adjective

ab·​sor·​bent

variants also absorbant

-bənt 

: able to absorb

absorbent gauze

absorbent noun

also absorbant