soak

play

verb \ˈsōk\

Definition of soak

intransitive verb
1 : to lie immersed in liquid (such as water) : become saturated by or as if by immersion
2a : to enter or pass through something by or as if by pores or interstices : permeateb : to penetrate or affect the mind or feelings —usually used with in or into
3 : to drink alcoholic beverages intemperately
transitive verb
1 : to permeate so as to wet, soften, or fill thoroughly
2 : to place in a surrounding element (such as liquid) to wet or permeate thoroughly
3 : to extract by or as if by steeping soak the dirt out
4a : to draw or take in by or as if by suction or absorption soaked up the sunshineb : to intoxicate (oneself) by drinking alcoholic beverages
5 : to cause to pay an exorbitant amount

soaker

noun

See soak defined for English-language learners

See soak defined for kids

Examples of soak in a Sentence

You should soak those dirty clothes before you wash them.
The beans soaked in water overnight.
He relaxed and soaked in the tub.
After planting the seeds, soak the soil.
She soaked the dog with the hose.
His shirt was soaked with sweat.
I was soaked by the rain.
The oil soaked into the wood.
Sweat soaked through his shirt.
Rain soaked through her jacket.

Origin and Etymology of soak

Middle English soken, from Old English socian; akin to Old English sūcan to suck

NEW!

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of soak

soak, saturate, drench, steep, impregnate mean to permeate or be permeated with a liquid. soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing. soak the garment in soapy water saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held. a saturated sponge drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured. clothes drenched by a cloudburst steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed. steep the tea for five minutes impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another. a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

soak

noun

Definition of soak

1a : the act or process of soaking : the state of being soakedb : the liquid in which something is soaked
2 : drunkard
3 slang : ²pawn 2

See soak defined for English-language learners

Examples of soak in a Sentence

I had a long, hot soak in the tub.
felt sorry for the town soak, who couldn't hold a job

First Known Use of soak

15th century

SOAK Defined for English Language Learners

soak

play

verb

Definition of soak for English Language Learners

: to put (something) in a liquid for a period of time
: to take a long bath
: to make (someone or something) very wet with water or another liquid

soak

noun

Definition of soak for English Language Learners

: an act of letting something stay in a liquid for a long time in order to soften or clean it
: a long bath

SOAK Defined for Kids

soak

play

verb \ˈsōk\

Definition of soak for Students

soaked

;

soaking

1 : to lie covered with liquid He soaked in the tub.
2 : to place in a liquid to wet or as if to wet thoroughly Soak the beans in water.
3 : to make very wet The rain soaked us.
4 : to enter or pass through something by or as if by tiny holes : permeate The water soaked into the ground.
5 : to draw in by or as if by absorption The rag soaked up the spill. She soaked up the sunshine.

soak

play

noun

Definition of soak for Students

1 : the act or process of letting something stay in a liquid for a long time to soften or clean it
2 : a long bath

Medical Dictionary

soak

play

noun \ˈsōk\

Medical Definition of soak

: an often hot medicated solution with which a body part is soaked usually long or repeatedly especially to promote healing, relieve pain, or stimulate local circulation