soak up

verb

soaked up; soaking up; soaks up

1

: to take in (liquid) : absorb

The rag soaked up most of the water.

2

: to enjoy feeling or experiencing (something pleasant) in usually a slow or relaxed way

We went to the beach and soaked up the sun/sunshine all afternoon.

I sat at my table for an hour soaking up the atmosphere of the café.

The performers stood on the stage, soaking up the applause.

3

: to learn and remember (something) quickly

He eagerly soaked up every word she said.

She has an ability to soak up new information very quickly.

4

: to use a large amount of (money, supplies, etc.)

This project is soaking up resources that could be used elsewhere.

Examples of soak up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alicia Carmody soaks up the sun with Bailey’s Minis in Newport, Rhode Island. — People Staff, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

Kansas Citians soaked up the sun on Friday night, swing dancing, swaying and bopping along to Sheryl Crow on the FIFA Fan Fest stage. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026

From the white-sand shores of the Gulf Coast to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the South is home to countless beautiful places to soak up the sun. — Abby Price, Southern Living, 9 July 2026

Jessica Alba and her boyfriend, Danny Ramirez, are celebrating a year of dating by soaking up the sun. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 July 2026

Rhymes for soak up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup