absorbed

adjective

ab·​sorbed əb-ˈsȯrbd How to pronounce absorbed (audio)
-ˈzȯrbd
: having one's attention wholly engaged or occupied
… was so absorbed in the business of his journey that he never turned his head …Thomas Hardy
I was too absorbed in my own problems and too uninterested in politics to remember that it was also a momentous day in Washington.Russell Baker
absorbedly adverb
… but Miss Isaacs keeps the plot boiling, and mostly one is reading too absorbedly to notice. Anna Shapiro

Examples of absorbed in a Sentence

Lori was so absorbed in her book that she didn't hear the bell ring
Recent Examples on the Web Because of this, absorbed sunlight isn’t reradiated in every direction equally but in some directions more than others. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2024 Chemical sunscreen, also called absorbed sunscreen, works by absorbing the UV rays, converting them to heat and releasing them from the body. Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 7 July 2024 March 8 7 days from peak bloom 3°F warmer March 10 6 days from peak bloom 1°F cooler March 11 As temperatures rose early in the year, the cells in the bud became active and absorbed water from the branches of the tree. Harry Stevens, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 The blanket repels dirt and pet hair, shakes sand off easily, and amazed us during the spill test when liquid pooled instead of absorbed and was easily blotted, leaving no stain behind. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 13 Oct. 2023 As the refrigerant expands, a pump takes it away, and a radiator dumps its absorbed heat. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 18 Apr. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'absorbed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absorbed was in 1722

Dictionary Entries Near absorbed

Cite this Entry

“Absorbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorbed. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on absorbed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!